DO YOU WANT TO?

 

Monday, August 29, 2022

(a classic)

 

DO YOU WANT TO?

 

Ps 37:4-5

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

 

          In one of Jan Karon’s beloved novels, retired but fidgety, Father Tim was presented with an opportunity to return to his former parish. It was exciting and sounded perfect but, after a few days of prayer and seeking guidance, his adopted son asked a simple question: “Do you want to?” Suddenly he realized that he did not want to. Some decisions are as simple as that.

 

          Some today are weighing major life changes. They have been presented with either challenges or opportunities. I have learned through the years that every challenge is an opportunity, and every opportunity has challenges. Sometimes it comes down to “Do you want to?” Three caveats are present in the above verses, and we should mention them in order.

 

          Delight thyself in the Lord! Warren Wiersbe says, if we truly delight in the Lord, then the chief desire of our heart will be to know Him better so we can delight in Him even more, and the Lord will satisfy that desire! This is not a promise for people who want "things," but for those who want more of God in their lives. Simply put, God pays attention to those with whom He has deep connection and affection.

 

          Commit thy way unto the Lord! The verb means "to roll off your burden" (1 Peter 5:7). Let God carry your concerns. Let God choose your career path, your life partner, and the direction of your life. His wisdom is far above our own. His strength never fades.

 

          Trust also in Him! The idea is to “be silent and still.” God speaks in whispers and there is so much clamor in our life we need solitude and silence to hear Him. Meditation is a lost art and even some church services have become loud and assaulting to our ears and mind.

 

          When you pray, understand that God knows your heart and wants to give you your heart’s desire if your delight is in Him. Commit your cares, concerns, and path to God. Trust Him! He is already at work to bring it to pass.

 

Dear Lord, let me delight myself in Thee, commit my way to you, and trust you completely. Then I will be given the desires of my heart – even if I do not clearly understand what those desires are. AMEN