Wondering What God is Calling You to Do? How Your Desires Can Be a Clue
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Photo by Bakir Custovic on Unsplash
I used to be suspicious of my desires. I was devoted to God and determined to do what was right, and I worried that what I wanted would distract me from God’s plan or that my desires might be self-indulgent or impractical.
But through studying the Bible, I've come to understand that rather than impulses to be resisted, our dreams and desires are often signals God uses to lead us into His purpose and callings for our lives.
If you have a desire but have been wondering or worrying about whether it is actually from God, I wrote something that I hope encourages you. It's an article I wrote for The Joyful Life Magazine called “Wondering What God Is Calling You To Do? How Your God-given Desires Can Be A Clue.” In it, I share a biblical example of how God can lead us through our desires and some reasons why your desires matter.
You can read the first bit below, then follow the link to read the rest.
As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I’d love to hear from you! You can contact me here or leave a comment below!
In purpose and faith,
I’ve created a free journaling worksheet just for you!
This free downloadable PDF is the perfect tool to help you sort through your desires and make the best decision.
Wondering What God Is Calling You To Do? How Your God-given Desires Can Be A Clue
“Why would God want me to have a Winnebago?” the pastor demanded.
It was my first quarter at my new college in Seattle, and I was visiting different churches each weekend trying to find a place I might fit. That particular Sunday, I joined a friend at a tiny church led by an impassioned young preacher. Though I have long forgotten the primary point of the sermon and I couldn’t tell you where that church is located or what it’s called, I don’t think I’ll ever forget how he talked about his dream of owning a Winnebago motorhome.
When he first brought up the topic, his eyes were bright and his speech was excited as he described the Winnebago’s prized features. But then he started criticizing his dream, saying how ridiculous it was. As his tirade progressed, his eyes dimmed and his demeanor became depressed. By the time he asked why God would ever want him to have a motorhome, it was obvious the question was rhetorical. Though he ardently wanted a Winnebago, he apparently could see no reason why God would ever approve of his wish.
All these years later, I still remember the weight of disappointment in the air as the pastor disparaged his own desire. And I still remember the unspoken-but-oh-so-clear message that our desires don’t matter. That they are frivolous at best and, in the worst-case scenario, are evil distractions designed to disrupt God’s plan.
I don’t think these beliefs are uncommon. Many of us tend to have the feeling that, as author Emily P. Freeman puts it, “If it’s something I really want, then it isn’t something I should be allowed to have.”
But if this is true, what should we make of verses like Psalm 37:4, which says: “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires” (NLT)? And what about Psalm 103:5, which describes God as the One who “satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (NIV)?
These verses declare that when we’re delighting in God—enjoying Him, worshiping with Him, obeying Him—He will fulfill our desires. Why would God give us our heart’s desires if they are unimportant or if they are troublesome temptations drawing us away from His plan?
I’ve spent a lot of time grappling with this question. After studying what the Bible says about desire, I’ve become convinced that rather than impulses to be repressed, our desires are often one of the clues God uses to reveal what He’s calling us to do. The first chapter of the book of Haggai is a perfect example...
You can read the rest here!
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