Does God Want Our Desires to be Met?

Does God Want Our Desires to be Met?

I am incredibly blessed to be given a job opportunity that allows me to do something I love: work with someone's written words and polish them. Working with a business consultant has been, and continues to be, an interesting journey. Along with everything else, the tasks I'm given reminds me of God and the work he does, has done, will do, in me, our culture and society.

If you've known me for more than a few weeks, you've probably heard me quote C.S. Lewis. Both in this job, as well as my other jobs, school, and especially marriage, one of his quotations ring true and vibrant. He said, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else." Like my literary hero, I rely on the accuracy of Christianity (and unlike my hero, I rely on the accuracy, authority, and infallibility of the bible) because firstly, I see its accuracy displayed in my life. Secondly, I see its accuracy transcend across nations, cultures, and ages. It is the only worldview I have ever come across that makes sense and defies contradiction concerning all things. This is only possible with truth.

My boss is currently writing a self-help book with the objective to equip people with tools to identify, and address their most inherent "needs" and "desires." The book is based on her ten-year running workshop that takes people through meditation, and question and answer sessions that address how people would like to grow and mature in several arenas. Without giving away too much of what the book is about before it's even written, I'd like to just say that some of these applications are very practical approaches to development. A few days ago, we discussed a part of the book dealing with the act of processing resentments. After our short discourse with the purpose of allowing me to get a feel of how the book should read, C.S. Lewis' quote ran over me like a run-away freight train and I was reminded of just how lost the world really is.

Again, I'm trying to be cautious in how much I disclose while still making my point across. I was asked to think of a time in the past, or now, where I harbored resentment against someone. Though I don't think my situation would be able to be classified under "resentment," I was able to think of a time, a few weeks ago, where I was annoyed. My husband and I had standing dinner plans. An individual suggested that we alter our dinner plans to accommodate her as she wanted to be a part of the gathering as well. This meant our schedule being flipped on its head and a very long and unplanned drive outside of LA county. At the time, I agreed but still felt unjustly inconvenienced. I got over it and we had a great time. Relaying this to my boss, she took me through the process that is included in the book. The workshop's (and eventually, book's) process started off well. It revealed my fear of man, ("people-pleasing" as it puts it - though I don't think it's the same as "fear of man") and my tendency of avoidance. Valid statements. When asked, "Next time, what would you like to have happened differently to avoid feeling aggravated or annoyed?" I responded truthfully and biblically. I said, "Next time, I'd like to display more patience and consideration for others." Immediately, there was hesitation and correction. "Well... No... Next time, you want to be more assertive to voice your desires." With a desire to get on and just get a basic feel for how she wanted the structure of this exercise, I conceded and said, "Alright."

Next she asked, "And why would you want to be assertive to voice your desires?" Again, I responded truthfully. I said, "So that my desires could be met and that I wouldn't be inconvenienced by other's desires." "Excellent." She then asked how this would make me feel. Again, truthful answers, "Pleased. Empowered."

What's wrong with this picture?

Does God want us to be happy and our desires met? Absolutely. But not by our means and according to our will.

Firstly, there's nothing spiritually extraordinary about sinful humans being pleased because they've gotten their way. There's no spiritual good behind that. Does a discontent child smile because you've given them their fifth candy bar that day? Of course. Does a loving father or mother wish that for their child. I should hope not.

Secondly, our desires are inherently self-serving and prideful.

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom WE ALL once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 2: 1-7

Thirdly, real happiness does not come and go. Christ provides a constant joy IN trials tribulations. The Christian life is not meant to be comfortable. It is meant to be a life dedicated to the service of Christ for His glory. The circumstances aren't the foundation of happiness. The foundation of our happiness is found in Christ's work in us. And He who began a good work in us will finish it according to His perfect will. So yes, God wants us happy. But He does it with Himself. With the gospel. And THROUGH circumstances not with them.

God gives us the desires of our hearts, but the idea that our desires should hold a position of priority in our own lives is unbiblical.

"'Teacher, what is the great commandment in the law?' And he (Jesus) said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Matthew 22: 36 - 39

None of us, especially myself, have any trouble loving ourselves. We are full of self-exaltation, self-validation, self-appreciation. We do however, have trouble loving other as we love ourselves. We take our own preferences into consideration before others' if we consider them at all. I maintain my desire for any future similar situations: I desire to be a better testimony of the work Christ has done in me, and continues to do in me, and display patience, love, long-suffering for others before ensuring my comfort and convenience. By displaying a love greater for others than for myself, I display my love and complete satisfaction in Christ.