Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and best-selling author Dr. Paul David Tripp

connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life. God does not exist for you. You exist for him.

It's an easy theological truth to think about, but when the rubber

meets the road in everyday life, it's very difficult to live. Today, we're going to continue

through this series from the Book of Genesis as Paul explores transformational truths about

our life on Earth. In this episode, Paul teaches how community with God should shape our schedule,

finances, and relationships. Here's Paul as we go back to the beginning.

It hits me every night when I go to sleep, and it hits me every morning when I wake. It fills my thoughts and follows me throughout the day. It's probably the big dilemma of my life. Now, here it is. I was made for God, yet all I tend to think about is me. It may be something as simple as chocolate chip cookies. I love chocolate. I think that there are a few

delights in this fallen world more delightful than properly executed chocolate chip cookies. So the tray of

warm chocolate chip cookies with soft and gooey centers is served. Now here's what happens to me.

Immediately, as a spontaneous instinct, I cite the one that I'm convinced is the most chip-laden

cookie. Now I'm watching very carefully, hypervigilantly, as a tray is passed around the table wondering, oh no, don't

let it happen if someone around the table will have the audacity to reach for my cookie.

Or I drag race another driver for the parking place that I cited in on a hundred yards away that I'm convinced has my name on it.

Or I can't wait for a law in the conversation so I can share the story that I have been

silently rehearsing in my head instead of listening to the stories of others.

See, that's the dilemma.

I was made for God. Yet I keep putting myself at the center of my

world. And the center of my world is the one place I was never meant to be. Now be honest, isn't this your dilemma too? Don't you say God is at the center,

but don't you fight him for that place?

Walk up this morning after another one of those crazy dreams.

Oh, nothing is going right this morning The whole world is wrong, it seems

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