Ah, the mantra! "I do what I do because I want what I want. I want what I want because I think what I think." After a week at a counseling conference, my head is swimming with Biblical principles, so perhaps it's not surprising that God would repeat Himself today.
This morning I read Luke chapter 22 and blazing lights surrounded the wants of individuals. The chief priests and scribes wanted Jesus dead (v. 2). Judas wanted an occasion to betray Jesus (v. 6). Jesus wanted (earnestly desired!) to share the Passover with His disciples (v. 15). The disciples wanted to know who was the greatest (v. 24). Want, want, want! Desire, desire, desire!
Now, this afternoon, I'm working through the book Peacemaking Women (by Tara Klena Barthel and Judy Dabler) on the topic of idolatry (translated: I want!). And, even as I type, our 9-year-old daughter stumbles into the room wrapped in a shawl begging, "Money! Money! All I need is one penny!"
What do I want? To have acceptance, influence, comfort, friendship? To be wealthy, attractive, sought after? What did Jesus want? To please the Father and do His work (John 17: 1,4,6). There is too much to say in a short blog about the desires of the heart and the perfection of Christ's desires. But I find myself challenged as I ask some of the questions from the end of the chapter by Barthel and Dabler (p. 61):
- I would be completely content or happy in my life if only...
- All I want is ...
- I get most sad and depressed when...
- I feel hopeless when...
- Don't ask me to give up my...
If you, like me, have some concrete answers, it's time to kneel at the foot of the cross for a heart exam and repent. If you find yourself in turmoil or need help, please seek a trusted Christian friend or send me a comment. I'll be glad to interact with you.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
This morning I read Luke chapter 22 and blazing lights surrounded the wants of individuals. The chief priests and scribes wanted Jesus dead (v. 2). Judas wanted an occasion to betray Jesus (v. 6). Jesus wanted (earnestly desired!) to share the Passover with His disciples (v. 15). The disciples wanted to know who was the greatest (v. 24). Want, want, want! Desire, desire, desire!
Now, this afternoon, I'm working through the book Peacemaking Women (by Tara Klena Barthel and Judy Dabler) on the topic of idolatry (translated: I want!). And, even as I type, our 9-year-old daughter stumbles into the room wrapped in a shawl begging, "Money! Money! All I need is one penny!"
What do I want? To have acceptance, influence, comfort, friendship? To be wealthy, attractive, sought after? What did Jesus want? To please the Father and do His work (John 17: 1,4,6). There is too much to say in a short blog about the desires of the heart and the perfection of Christ's desires. But I find myself challenged as I ask some of the questions from the end of the chapter by Barthel and Dabler (p. 61):
- I would be completely content or happy in my life if only...
- All I want is ...
- I get most sad and depressed when...
- I feel hopeless when...
- Don't ask me to give up my...
If you, like me, have some concrete answers, it's time to kneel at the foot of the cross for a heart exam and repent. If you find yourself in turmoil or need help, please seek a trusted Christian friend or send me a comment. I'll be glad to interact with you.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
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