Wanted

Seeking

What do you want? That is a pretty simple question but it is also an extremely profound one. Often we are convinced that there must be divergence between what we want and what we need or should want. Of course, that could be the case, but maybe the issue is that we are looking for the right thing in the wrong way or place. Kind of like the old country song, we are looking for love in all the wrong places. 

My point is that our problem might not be in our appetite, but in the food we are using to satisfy it. As a matter of fact, food is probably a good analogy for this because often when we are craving unhealthy foods it is actually something in those foods that we truly do need that is amplifying that craving. So we need to pay close attention to what we are after. The problem with many pursuits is that we might succeed. Like a dog chasing a car the real trouble starts when we catch it. 

Desire

Desire is at the heart of what drives us in life. In many ways discipline and maturity are simply about using our desires to serve us rather than us serving them. When we are ignorant or immature we will be driven around by our desires and tossed around by every new idea (Ephesians 4:14). In this state, our desires may not even be wrong but they are in the wrong place. Desire is a motivator not a director and when we get the fire of desire in the wrong seat we have trouble.

However, desire can also be a blessing when it is in the proper role of motivation. Paul speaks of his desire for the salvation of Israel as not only motivating his evangelisitc efforts toward them (Romans 10:1) but also his apostolic enterprise among the gentiles (Romans 11:13-14). Also, remember that Paul refers to the desire or aspiration to become an overseer (pastor) as a good thing (1 Timothy 3:1). Even more powerful is that God desires the salvation of sinners (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Clearly the distinction between righteous desires and sinful ones is two fold. First, is the thing desired good or evil and second, are we seeking the good thing in a godly manner?

Contentment

Ultimately, we all want to be content. Contentment does not mean complacent or without goals, hopes or dreams but it does mean satisfied. This satisfaction is grounded in our trust in God’s sovereign will. If we genuinely trust God’s purpose is right then we can be satisfied with where we are and where we are going even without the full itinerary. Also at the root of this contentment is our grateful reception of God’s good gifts. If we are constantly comparing what God has given others to what we have or experience then we will be overcome by greed and envy. Instead, believers should always trust that God’s gifts are ideal for us as we are where we are (James 1:17). As we trust in both God’s purpose and gifts we can know as believers that His providential provision is not only enough but far more than just enough in Christ Jesus our Lord (Philippians 4:10-13)!

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