Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica…

  - 2 Timothy 4.9, 10

The wise man should love nothing here, since nothing lasts; for there eternal things are with the Eternal, here transitory things are with the mortal. Thus it is perilous to dwell amongst deceptions and deceits, and not to see the truths you ought to love...

  - Columbanus, Sermon III, Irish, 7th century[1]

I take great delight looking at the things and people I love. My immediate surroundings here in my study (“The Kiln”) are arranged so that I can see without much difficulty those earthly things which bring such meaning and satisfaction to my life.

On my desk I have two pictures of Susie, two castings of the Cross of Muiredach, a boghran (Irish drum), a statue of Moses descending with the Law, a dachshund doll (“Old Geoff” – Fault Lines), my favorite quote from Petrarch, a Bible, some well-worn reference books, writing materials, and four hymnals.

On the wall in front me hangs my favorite painting by Andrew Wyeth, “The Writing Chair,” and a line drawing by my friend Bruce Van Patter, both of which have inspired and sustained many hours of fruitful meditation and writing. Behind me hangs a poem written by Susie, based on Psalm 8, an 1830s-ish map of the world which includes the plot marks of one man’s journey home from half-way around it, and a framed copy of my favorite hymn, “More about Jesus,” a gift from Marshall and Diane Adams.

Around me on all sides are the books I treasure, and under my work table to the left lies Cu, curled up in his bed.

Life is good. Because God is good.

But if the good things of this world distract us from the Lord – as they can easily do – then they cease to be good, and run the risk of becoming gods.

I love all these things, and especially what they bring to mind, and I wish I could have them with me always. They are touchstones for my life, points of reference that give meaning and passion to my day. You couldn’t buy any of these from me. Nor will I walk away from them any time soon. They are sacramental of the people and truths they represent, just as the Word of God, the Supper, and the gifts of creation and culture are sacramental of the God of grace and glory.

We see Him everywhere, know His heavy presence with us, and strain, strain to be with Him where He is, and to see as He sees. As long as the things of this life point us to Him and urge us on in seeking His Kingdom, let us surround ourselves with them lavishly.

When I read that Demas deserted Paul and Christ for the sake of some unspecified worldly indulgence, it arrests my attention, and fires a warning shot across my bow. Because I see myself in Demas. I do the same. I take my eyes off Jesus to indulge some personal snit, languish in front of a meaningless sporting event on television, or earnestly wish that one or another ne’er-do-well would get his comeuppance.

We all must fight the tendency to become a deserter, because it’s too easy to prefer the love of fleeting worldly fancies over the unchanging, unmoving, unfailingly gracious Savior and King, even Jesus. If we love Him more, we will never let Him go, never take our eyes off Him, never look away to any lesser thing, never desert Him for fleeting things.

This is why I cherish so much the surroundings in “The Kiln” – and throughout our home, in fact. Beginning with Susie and working around to “More about Jesus,” these gifts witness to me of the beauty of unseen realities, the solidity of God’s truth, the abundance of His goodness and grace, and the always-present-with us faithfulness of His steadfast love and forgiving grace.

Love Jesus more, and you’ll desert Him less.

Psalm 51.1-3, 10-13 (Passion Chorale: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded)
Be gracious to me, Savior, according to Your love!
According to Your mercy, my sins, my sins remove!
O wash me, precious Savior, and cleanse me from all sin;
Look on me with Your favor, and cause my grief to end.

Create in me a clean heart, renew me from within!
Take not Your Spirit from me because of all my sin.
Salvation’s joy restore, Lord, and keep me in Your hand;
Thus shall I tell Your strong Word to sinners in the land.

Help me to love You more, Lord Jesus, so that I will desert You less. 

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T. M. Moore
Principal
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All psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.