Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart (Ps. 37:4 NAS).
Why did we move halfway across the United States? God put the desire in our hearts. Why do I spend hours writing? God put the
desire in my heart. Why do I spend time marketing? God put the desire in my heart. Of the three, marketing is not something I really want to do.
My husband and I both had a longing to move from our California town before the opportunity came. God gave us a longing to be in another state. Neither of us asked God to open our hearts to the trek from one state to another. God put the desire there; we then asked God to show the way. It took more than ten years.
I believe that God put the ambition to be a writer in me when I was being knitted in the womb. I can’t remember not wanting to be a writer. Although I’ve taken detours along the way, God has directed my path. Writing is my joy, and it is a blessing.
The thought of marketing, though, doesn’t excite me. I’d rather make the 1,500-mile move again. But marketing is important to fulfilling my writing goals. I depend on God for the desire to do so.
I confess I don’t always look for God to place his desire in my heart. All to often I give God my plan and ask him to bless it. I want my desires. I’ve interpreted Psalm 36:4 as a deal, “God give me what I want (the desires of my heart) and I will delight myself in you.” Or, “I’ve been happy with you, Lord, now give me what I want.”
That may be how I work, it’s not how God works. God’s desire is his best for me. When I’m open to having him place desires in my heart, I will be blessed and happy. I will delight in the Lord.
What desire has God given you?
(Photo by Billy Alexander.)
This is also one of my favorite verses. I find when my desires focus on myself I’m seldom in line with his desires.
Several years ago I heard a message on this verse that changed my perspective. God doesn’t give us what we want (desire). He places desires in us that are for His glory.
Hi!
Just wanted to thank you for congratulating me on the She Reads blog after the scholarship contest! So nice!
This is such an interesting topic: our desires…God’s will…etc. My husband and I were just talking about this today! May the Lord bless you in your writing ventures and may He reveal Himself to you in your pursuit of Him!
Thanks again! Have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Kate 🙂
My pleasure Katie. God has plans for you, and He will put the desire for those plans in your heart …. maybe at the conference.
I believe what you wrote too. I believe He brings everything together for a purpose…even when it seems impossible….that anything good can happen…He’s at work….