Maneuvers - No. 48
What is Your
Deepest Desire?
What’s the one thing that could make you truly happy, friend?
Is it getting married? Having children? Growing your wealth? Losing weight? Traveling the world? Healing from trauma?
For each of us, the answer will be different. But the longing is the same–it’s the longing for true happiness and true peace.
Our unique answer reveals something very important about our hearts. It shows us where our hope lies. It reveals what we believe we need.
There was only one thing the psalmist needed:
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25, ESV).
Imagine what it would feel like to be completely satisfied in Jesus. What would it be like to rest fully content in his presence and simply enjoy his love?
What would happiness feel like then? What would our needs look like? Where would we turn to meet those needs?
If we can’t repeat the psalmist’s words with total honesty yet, that’s okay. Full surrender isn’t something we can muster up on our own (no matter how hard we try).
But Holy Spirit is so willing to help us. He’s not here to condemn, but to empower us to surrender and find our full joy and satisfaction in him. He knows just what to say. So let’s listen…
01.
The Message
“What do you want this day to be? What do you wish would happen? What are your deepest desires? At the end of this day, as you lay down your head, what do you want to feel? What situation do you hope for the most?
“I ask you these things, for I want you to consider where your contentment lies. What will it take for you to be content? What relationship? What lifestyle? And where are you looking for these things? How are you spending your days in regard to your life’s dreams? What do you believe will help you live the life you hope to live?
“It is good to be mindful of what you want, what you are chasing down. For there is always something you love most. And what you love most will determine your days–how you spend your time, how you make decisions, how you consider the value of a task, or a person, or a moment.
“Let’s take a deep dive into your heart. Let’s take a look at your motivations and dreams. Let’s take a look at your fears and decisions. Who is at the center of your heart? What are you holding most sacred? What are you choosing as the most valuable thing or idea or person in your life? Are you content?
“Be honest now. It is okay.
“I am not here to condemn you. I love you. I love you.
“You are at the center of my heart. And because you are where I choose my love to reside, you are free, if you choose to be. You can be liberated from all worries and fear, all second-rate loves that do not fill you with a lasting peace.
“When you look at what resides in your heart–what you deem sacred, what you deem worth dying for–consider what it is based upon. Is it love? Or is it something else? Let me show you how, at the center of your heart, you are capable of love that is pure. At the center of your heart is where my home can be–and I can purify all your motives, all your desires, all your dreams. And then, at the end of a day, when you lay down your head to sleep, you will feel my peace–lasting contentment and love.”
02.
Listen
How do you feel right now? Which of Holy Spirit’s words impacted you the most? Let’s take a moment to prayerfully respond to the Lord in our journals.
03.
Think
“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works” (Psalm 73:28, ESV).
1. What stands in the way of your joy? What (or whom) does your heart truly want?
2. What need would that thing (or that person) satisfy within you? How does Jesus want to satisfy that need?
3. Look up three Scriptures about peace or contentment. What is Holy Spirit saying specifically to you through those passages?
04.
Trust
When do you feel content, friend? When are you most at peace?
We don’t have to wait for a certain thing to happen or a certain person to love us to feel content. (Although every good thing and relationship is a gift from God for our enjoyment.)
We can find that satisfaction in our friendship with Jesus. Only his love is completely pure, selfless, loyal, and limitless. And it’s for us. He loves us.
The problem is, sometimes we struggle to feel that love. We might wonder if it’s actually as deep and wide and long and high as the Bible says. When we feel hurt or angry or alone, it’s normal to have questions…
So today, let’s ask Holy Spirit to show us his love.
Let’s find a quiet spot where we can sit (or kneel or lie down–whatever helps you focus on God). As we close our eyes and breathe deeply, let’s ask Holy Spirit three things:
1) “Lord, will you show me how much you love me and what that love looks like?”
2) “Will you show me what’s blocking me from receiving your love?”
3) “Will you show me how to enjoy your love without holding back, without doubt, and without fear?”
After each question, let’s wait for him to respond… It may take a few minutes to hear his words clearly, and that’s okay. In moments of silence, enjoy the stillness of his presence.
Let’s focus on his love wrapping around us, satisfying our longings, healing our hurts, and softening the hard places. And now, let’s pray.
05.
Pray
Jesus, thank you for your love. It’s so much greater than I could ever imagine… and it’s mine. You are mine. And I am yours.
Satisfy me with your presence. I know it’s enough. Teach me to believe you are all I need, even when the world and my own flesh try to convince me otherwise. Help me drown out the lies with your truth so I can be truly content with you.
Lead me wherever you desire. I’m willing to follow by faith and not by sight. You are worth the journey. You’re worth the wait.
I love you so much, Lord.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
