| June.17.04: Light for the Day - "HEART'S DESIRE" by Marjorie F. Eddington What do you desire? Go ahead, fantasize. I'm sure many things come to mind. Now that you've fantasized, quiet the images racing through your thoughts, and get really still. Now, what is your "heart's desire"? My mom asked me that question during a critical moment in my life. We were together, reading our Bibles, studying, and praying for me. She looked up from her rocking chair and continued: "What do you really want?" As I sat on the floor, I listened to God and truly put aside everything I thought I desired (and I had a pretty major desire). It took a lot of humility and trust, but the answer came to me clearly and persistently. "I want to do God's will," I replied. It was that simple and that profound. She looked down at the Bible and read: You have given him his heart’s desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips . (Ps. 21:2) I cried. I was not sad; I was overwhelmed by God's love. God would give me (indeed, already had given me) my "heart's desire." He would not withhold anything from me that I truly desired, nor would He put me in a position that would jeopardize my ability to do His will, to follow Him with my whole heart. God kept His promise. This passage has remained an inspiration to me. It assures all of us that if desires come from our hearts, and not from our whims, God will fulfill them. It's important to understand the meaning of "heart's desire." Our desires have to be honest and sincere. Most importantly, they have to include God. If we specify and outline exactly what we want down to the minutest detail, we will most likely miss what God has planned for us. We may think we want a sports car for a cool ride. But, maybe we really want it to become more popular. So then, don't we really want companionship? Or maybe we just need transportation. Companionship and transportation are honest desires; a sports car probably falls under the "fantasy" desire category. We want to lose weight, get fit, and look better. But why? Maybe we want to attract a boyfriend or girlfriend. Don't we really want a stronger sense of self-worth, a clearer picture of identity and value? Don't we want to be satisfied with who we are? What does the heart truly want? We have to be honest with ourselves in order to let our hearts speak. So, let's ask again, "What is my heart's desire?" We may have to dig deep and get beneath the surface. We may have to examine our answers and the motives for wanting what we want. But the process is rewarding. When we know the genuine answer to that question, we can rest assured that God will indeed answer our requests. Let's look at how the Bible reveals how God answers the desires of our hearts. Here are only a few examples. Feel free to scroll down to see if one of your desires is listed. IF WE DESIRE . . . ----------------- GOOD RELATIONSHIPS ----------------- Do we wish we had a boyfriend, a girlfriend -- someone to love and from whom to feel love? I and my Father are one. (John 10:30) Jesus' affirmation defines true companionship as eternal unity with God. If we understand our relationship with God, our oneness with our Father, then we will have a strong foundation upon which to build harmonious and lasting relationships. Or do we wish that our current relationships were better? For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matt. 18:20) If God is in the "midst" or center of our relationships, then there isn't room for argument, division, discord. There's only room for love. If we desire friendship, then we must be a good friend to others and follow Jesus' example: A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24) 13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. (John 15:13, 14) Are we doing what Jesus has commanded us to do -- to love God and to love our neighbor? ------- FAMILY ------- Do we desire to have a family or to feel closer to our own? God sets the solitary (lonely) in families; He brings out those who are bound (prisoners) into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land. (Ps. 68:6) 32 And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You." 33 But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" 34 And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! 35 "For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." (Mark 3:32-35) These statements certainly expand our concept of family. A true family does God's will. ------ BEAUTY ------ Do we desire to be more good looking? Where are we looking to find beauty? In a gym, a drugstore, a salon? Perhaps we need to look in a better place. Honor (splendor) and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. (Ps. 96:6) What are our models for beauty? Athletes? TV and movie stars? One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold (gaze upon) the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire (seek Him) in His temple. (Ps. 27:4) God's beauty provides the best, most consistent model -- perfection! How do we become beautiful? And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. (Ps. 90:17) Isn't it incredible to think that God's beauty is "upon us"? The more we "let" God beautify our thoughts, words, actions, and lives, the more beautiful we are. And if God's beauty isn't enough for us, then we need to examine our concept of beauty, ourselves, and God. ---------- EMPLOYMENT ---------- Do we desire a job or a fulfilling career? What are we doing to understand our real job in life? Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (II Tim. 2:15) 11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (I Thess. 4:11, 12) If we think of ourselves as being employed by God, we can rest assured that we have plenty of work to do -- to understand the truth. What is more, this means that we have the best boss in the world -- a boss with unlimited resources who will mentor us with infinite patience and guide our every move; a boss who trusts us, sees our inherent value, and appreciates our individuality. ----------------------------------- PURPOSE, OR BEING GOOD AT SOMETHING ----------------------------------- Do we desire to understand our purpose in life, to have our own niche, or to be good at something? -- Eph. 4:7, 11-16, … 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ……… 11 It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:7, 11-16, …) 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (I Cor. 12:4, 7) Every one means every one. Not one person is left out. God needs each and every one of us, and he needs us to be our own, unique, individual selves. Each one of us expresses God's beauty, intelligence, grace, completeness, excellence, creation differently. As a result, we are all vitally significant to God and to the rest of creation. Our purpose is to express and glorify God. --------- MORE TIME --------- Do we feel we need more time to get work done? Do we desire time to spend with family, friends, God? Maybe we need to see what takes up our moments and days and then prioritize. +++ 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (II Pet. 3:8,9) If we spend more time with God, we would discover that the constraints, or limits, of time disappear. We would discover that we have "a thousand years," or infinity, to get everything done that we need to do. Things will become easier because we are moving in His rhythm. As we make our family more important than things, we have more "time" to be with those we love. ------ WEALTH ------ Do we believe we need wealth -- more money so we can give to others or support ourselves? 1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. (Ps. 112:1-3) Wealth is not simply an abundance of money. Real wealth is the result of delighting in God's commandments, in following God's laws. Wealth does not come from accomplishments made without God, as this next passage reveals: 17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today. (Deut. 8:17-18) We know that a man in the Bible who was known far and wide for his wealth never asked for it. When Solomon had the chance to ask God for whatever he wanted, he let his heart speak and asked for "wisdom and knowledge." And because of this, God responded: 11 God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have." (II Chron. 1:11-12) -------------------------- INSPIRATION, UNDERSTANDING -------------------------- So maybe we're like Solomon. Do we desire more "wisdom and knowledge," creativity, inspiration, or ideas? Do we wish we understood life better, God better? But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. (Job 32:8) Inspiration and wisdom come from God and therefore, never run out. Because inspiration is unlimited, we will always know what we need to know when we need to know it so long as we are accepting God's gift of understanding. ---------------- DOING GOD'S WILL ---------------- What if I really just want to do God's will? How will I know if it's God's will? For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Col. 1:9, 10) The prayers of the disciples are living prayers. They are still effective and meaningful for all of us today. 20 Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 make (equip) you complete in everything good so that you may do His will, working among us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20, 21) We indeed can hear God's voice and do His will because God created us to hear and understand Him. He is powerful enough to make us understand Him. --------------------------- GIVING, MAKING A DIFFERENCE --------------------------- Do we want to contribute something to the world, to make a difference, to leave a lasting mark, to invent something that will change our society? Or do we want to give others a lasting gift because they have given so much to us? 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures (James 1:17,18) One of the best ways we can give to others is to realize that God gives to all of us unconditionally. He is forever blessing us, always giving us everything we need so that we can give to the world. ----- TRUST ----- Do we desire to trust in God more? Most important in having our desires fulfilled is knowing, believing, and being confident in God. We have to learn to trust that when our prayers are sincere, honest, and God-directed, they are effective. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24) Too often we pray without expecting immediate, practical, and effective results. Prayer is not an "I wish" statement. Prayer is an affirmation of everything God is, an understanding that he meets all of our needs, a listening session to God telling us how much He loves us and provides for us. When we expect to have our real desires fulfilled, we will not be surprised when our hearts find peace in God. |