In both the story of the fall of the Angels and the stories of Genesis 2-4, God’s created want more-more than they have been given even though what they have been given is more than enough. In a sense they had everything they could want, but there is always that nagging drive to acquire what is not in their grasp. This is especially so when God tells them what they have is enough and withholds something, anything, from them. Their freedom, God’s ultimate gift is not enough for them, so they misuse it and chose to rebel – to move toward that which they really don’t need.
Did God place this inner desire for more within us? If so, did he. It plant the seeds of rebellion within us? Why would he do such a thing? Perhaps that desire for more is directed toward himself. After all, Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree so that they would be like God-that was the deceit of the serpent. The defining character of the rebellion is not their desire to be like God, but their desire to control the means by which they were made as God.
How do I participate in this sin? How don’t seem to be as God, but on my own terms? I have been given so much – more than enough, really, but want more. And the more I desire is on my terms. In that desire to I misuse my freedom by holding onto that which God has freely given and so can freely take away? Titles. Purple cassocks. “Places of honor.” These God has given. When they are taken away, my feelings of anger and betrayal are misplaced, are they not? These things are but means to an end. They are not the path to contentment. By grasping onto those things even as they are taken away, I come no closer to being able to walk with God “in the cool of the day.”
My heart is restless O Lord, until it rest in thee. (St. Augustine)
Let it rest only in thee, O Lord – this is the grace for which I pray.
Source: Rector’s Blog