Do we really give God what He wants from us, or do we come up with our own definition of what we think God wants from us?
About ten years ago I read an article about setting a five-year goal and this is how successful people set their goals and accomplish them. Well, I wanted to be successful too, so I took a couple of hours thinking about what I wanted to accomplish in five years. I thought I’d go back to work, get my music degree in the process and then teach in some private school, hopefully conducting high school choirs afterwards. It never occurred to me to ask the Lord what His plans were concerning me, or if He had any at all. Looking back now I wish I did, because that sure would have spared me from so much pain and a lot of sorrow and tears. Believe it or not, I was actually totally convinced that my plan was what God had wanted me to do. I believed that He wanted me in music and my goal was to teach in a Christian school. But in reality this is what I wanted, not what God wanted. I never asked Him what He wanted, so how can I know what He really wanted? Come to think of it now, I guess even if God had told me He did have plans for me and told me what they were, I wasn’t really interested in knowing it at that time. I always had this suspicion that when it comes to what God wants, it’ll be something I probably will not be happy with. So truth was, I was afraid to ask Him.
Do you feel the same way about God? Do you have something that you feel God wants from you, and you’re not really giving it to Him because you’re afraid that His definition of happiness for you may not make you happy? Or do you wonder if God really does have plans for you, and if you believe He does then do you really want to know what they are? If you are wondering if God really has plans for you, the answer is yes! Yes, God has plans for you and He does want something from you that you alone can give to Him. I’m not just saying this because this is what every preacher and every spiritual leader has said in times past. I used to think it was something that these people say and it wasn’t true. I didn’t believe them. I thought God couldn’t possibly have a plan for every single person on this earth with so many people in this whole entire world we live in. But I’ve found out in my own walk with the Lord that He does have plans for every single person who is interested in knowing them. God does have plans for every single person here on this earth because every soul belongs to Him, and He is in love with every single one of us.
If you’re not sure if His plans for you will make you happy, then I’d be honest with the Lord about it and talk to Him about it. Tell Him your fears and your desires about giving in to what He wants, and let Him know what you want. Allow the Lord to show you what He wants from you, and if you don’t care for it or aren’t ready to accept it yet, let Him know. But also allow Him as well to show you what He really knows about you, and what will really make you happy. Ask Him what He sees in you and what will make you happy. I think you will be surprised to see what God really knows about you, and what will make you happy. Remember He is not here to condemn us or belittle us. He loves us so much and desires what’s best for us. He is here for us and not against us. He above all knows what will make us truly happy.
I never thought that God would have a side of Him that needed to be filled. I thought that living in this world is all about finding my own happiness. It was all about me. Boy, was I wrong. I didn’t know that finding my own happiness lies in doing what God wanted me to do for Him. I’m so happy to have come to understand this today. I have come to experience that doing His will and His desire gives me worth. It gives me joy and happiness and even peace that I never experienced in my own search for happiness in this world before. There really is such a thing as giving God what He wants from us, and living the life we are seeking that is truly satisfying in this world. It is a life doing the will of God and what He really wants. Not what we want, but what He wants. I have found that since He has made us in His image, and the soul living inside of us belongs to Him, He alone can satisfy us. Not until I do what He truly desires and what He truly wants for me to do, even moment-by-moment, will I find my true happiness and true meaning in this life.
I know it is a scary thing to give up one’s worldly dreams and goals for Christ, especially when you’re not even sure what His plans are for you. I was there. For many years I made bargains with the Lord about allowing me to live my life for myself versus living my life for Him. But I have found that when we step out of our comfort zone and take a leap of faith and trust God, you can count on Him to meet you and never fail you. He will not only meet you half way, He will also carry you through until the end. It is worth all the jitters and the angst to trust God. It is all worth the pain and sorrow of giving up your worldly dreams. It is worth everything you can ever know and think of in this life to give to Him what God wants from you. At the end of the day, when you can lie down in your bed and have peace in your heart knowing that you’re living the life that God wants for you to live, isn’t that worth everything? There is no peace like it in the world.
It is very simple really. Just be brave enough to talk to the Lord and ask Him what He really wants from you. Tell Him also your fears in giving it to Him. Then ask Him to give you the courage to give it all up for Him and follow Him until the end. I have learned it is a process. Sometimes, He doesn’t take it all at once. He puts you through an acceptance process so that you can give it to Him with all of your heart. He will not force you. But I have found too that the more I delay in giving in to what He desires, the longer I prolong my sorrow and emptiness in this life. Whenever I doubt and fear to give in to what He wants from me, I’ve found I’m only prolonging my own agony. I have found that as soon as I give Him what He wants from me, I experience His peace. I can assure you that when you do the same thing He will give the same thing to you: life abundantly on this earth and the peace that passes man’s understanding. You will never regret you had this kind of talk with the Lord. It is a life I am thankful for today and living for now, and each and every day.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. {Philippians 1:21}
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. {Mark 8:36-38}
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank You Father for giving Your life for us and dying at the cross for our sins so that we can be set free today to live for You. I thank You that Your love for us is steadfast and unwavering. It will endure until the end.
Lord Jesus, please Savior, help us to come and talk to You honestly and openly about what You want from us. If there is anything we are keeping from You please Jesus, forgive us and set us free from any fears that are keeping us from talking to You about it. Please Jesus give us faith in Your perfect love for us, for You will never leave us nor forsake us. Father we all have our own definition of happiness for ourselves and we sometimes forget that You above all else know what will truly make us happy. Please Jesus, help us to trust in Your judgment of our happiness today and give You what You are asking for from us. I pray all these things in Your most wonderful and precious name, Jesus. Thank You, Father. Amen.
