I Want...

What is it that we really want?   We search day in and day out longing to find the missing piece that will bring about the ultimate fulfillment to our lives. 

We want…

Happiness.  Contentment.  Love.  Fulfillment.  Joy.  Worry-free.  Money.  Time.  Peace.  Relationships. 

We don’t want…

Sadness.  Disappointment.  Hate.  Failure.  Depression.  Worry.  Debt.  No Time.  Distress.  Loneliness 

How can we get what will make us happy and content and feel loved and enjoy a fulfilling life and experience inner-joy and not have to worry about life problems and have enough money and feel the inner-peace that relaxes our hectic life and know that there are solid relationships in our lives that we will have someone to talk to or share a life with?   

Getting what we want takes work…hard work.  Some will say that “God doesn’t always give you what you want, but rather, what you need.”  True.  However, wanting is the catalyst of what one will ultimately work toward and will discover along the journey if that is what she needs to fulfill her life. 

King Solomon said, “What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?  Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles.  Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea.

Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.” Ecclesiastes 1:3-8 (NLT)

When it is all said and done, life is about seeking God, not self.  There is nothing wrong in wanting to be happy and content, feeling loved, finding fulfillment, wanting joy, having no worries, making enough money, getting time, being at peace and developing relationships.  But, they must not be the totality of ones life in the pursuit of getting what is wanted. 

It is possible that we can worry ourselves senseless in the pursuit of not worrying or lack inner joy or peace trying to make ourselves feel it.  Paul, one of God’s Apostles said it this way, “I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. “  Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG)

It is true that Jesus said not to worry.  It is also true that the Spirit will develop within us joy and peace.  The way one experiences a worry-free life, joy and peace is to deepen the relationship with Jesus.  God never said life would be easy, but he did say, “[I] will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

The key to wanting is to know how it will affect my relationship with God, my life and those in my life.  Wanting something or someone isn’t a negative; it is ensuring it is in its proper framework to compare how it will ultimately affect my relationship with God. 

The saying, “Take all you want, but eat all you take” is a good principle to live by in wanting anything in life.  Ensure that whatever you want, isn’t too much, too little or not the right fit.  Measure it will God’s plan for your life and pray often about it.  Don’t let anyone detour you in what you want if you believe strongly God will bless it.

Remember, Be God Controlled!  

Brian