I believe there are times when what we think we want to do is not enough. It is during those times that we've convinced ourselves that we are capable of accomplishing what we want to do -- but if so, then where is the peace? Where's that peace of mind, the peace of understanding that helps us to feel settled in our pattern of thought or course of action in such times?
The peace we need in those moments is nestled in an exchange called confession. It is often exercised as an expression of our sins, mistakes, guilt, and griefs, all of which also choke our peace. But I've found that confession is also a release of our desires, the secret longings in our hearts that we hide from our most intimate friends...and even ourselves.
God is known to communicate through Scripture or through messengers like pastors, preachers, prophets, and teachers. But, I realized today a more intimate way that God communicates...through one's deep-seated desire. In our puritannical/holier-than-thou culture, desire is often mistaken for lust, a self-seeking perversion of desire, and this discrepancy causes many to stifle their truest passions for fear of being unwholesome or unholy. On the contrary, desire's purest nature is to connect each of us to our divine calling and purpose in God. Desire is a motivation that propels us into a divinely-designed path and enables us to be a timely and relevant blessing to a greater community of individuals. For example, a dedicated employee may deeply desire to run his own business. God's purpose may be for him to profit others by creating jobs for the struggling and the unemployed. These jobs could bolster the ex-inmate, fresh out of prison, who is desperate for a second chance, or could elevate the downsized and despairing father who longs to provide for his family again. A talented dancer may be designed by God to go into the inner city as a teacher to expose and express the hope and beauty of life to youth oppressed by poverty and abuse. Though her talent is suited for dance, her desire may be to serve young people.
Desire is a longing that cannot be quenched. It motivates and energizes. Desire speaks of more than a job title or an income level. It reverberates the heart of God and reveals the meaning of the portion of life He has entrusted to each of us. Desire is a constant and consistent whisper from God, a through-line that is maintained throughout all of our endeavors in life. When we confess our realization of desire to God, peace and provision accompany it. If there is no tangible provision for one's desire and there is no settlement of peace about its acceptance, then the question one should ask is: Is this desire or lust? Does this merely gratify me, or do I find gratification in how this will affect others?
Sometimes, under the clutter of our own vices, we may find it hard to identify and accept the desires that God has placed in our hearts. But God is loving and patient, and He is faithful to lead us to the place of understanding and acceptance of our hearts' desires. Yet, it is our responsibility to respond to His gentle whispers and align ourselves with Him through our confession of desire and with corresponding actions.
After all, He gave us Life...shouldn't we live it the way He wants us to?
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart (Psalm 37:4, Amplified Bible).
G--
The peace we need in those moments is nestled in an exchange called confession. It is often exercised as an expression of our sins, mistakes, guilt, and griefs, all of which also choke our peace. But I've found that confession is also a release of our desires, the secret longings in our hearts that we hide from our most intimate friends...and even ourselves.
God is known to communicate through Scripture or through messengers like pastors, preachers, prophets, and teachers. But, I realized today a more intimate way that God communicates...through one's deep-seated desire. In our puritannical/holier-than-thou culture, desire is often mistaken for lust, a self-seeking perversion of desire, and this discrepancy causes many to stifle their truest passions for fear of being unwholesome or unholy. On the contrary, desire's purest nature is to connect each of us to our divine calling and purpose in God. Desire is a motivation that propels us into a divinely-designed path and enables us to be a timely and relevant blessing to a greater community of individuals. For example, a dedicated employee may deeply desire to run his own business. God's purpose may be for him to profit others by creating jobs for the struggling and the unemployed. These jobs could bolster the ex-inmate, fresh out of prison, who is desperate for a second chance, or could elevate the downsized and despairing father who longs to provide for his family again. A talented dancer may be designed by God to go into the inner city as a teacher to expose and express the hope and beauty of life to youth oppressed by poverty and abuse. Though her talent is suited for dance, her desire may be to serve young people.
Desire is a longing that cannot be quenched. It motivates and energizes. Desire speaks of more than a job title or an income level. It reverberates the heart of God and reveals the meaning of the portion of life He has entrusted to each of us. Desire is a constant and consistent whisper from God, a through-line that is maintained throughout all of our endeavors in life. When we confess our realization of desire to God, peace and provision accompany it. If there is no tangible provision for one's desire and there is no settlement of peace about its acceptance, then the question one should ask is: Is this desire or lust? Does this merely gratify me, or do I find gratification in how this will affect others?
Sometimes, under the clutter of our own vices, we may find it hard to identify and accept the desires that God has placed in our hearts. But God is loving and patient, and He is faithful to lead us to the place of understanding and acceptance of our hearts' desires. Yet, it is our responsibility to respond to His gentle whispers and align ourselves with Him through our confession of desire and with corresponding actions.
After all, He gave us Life...shouldn't we live it the way He wants us to?
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart (Psalm 37:4, Amplified Bible).
G--
I agree that desire is a road map to lead us where we need to go. Thanks for this post! xo - Cara
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