My immediate response to Holley's question: "What do you really want more of in your life?" would be: Peace, please, at any price!
I relish a scene like this one:
No noise, no crowds, no distractions
Though other things run a close second. How about more...Energy, Strength, Health, Security? How great would that be?
I could certainly do with less...Fatigue, Weakness, Pain, Uncertainty..couldn't we all?
In fact, being a woman of certain tastes, perhaps more...books, shoes, chocolate, fruit, etc..
Though it must be said that we are often notoriously bad at deciding what is a want or a need. It is very easy to confuse the two as each are natural desires.
Needs tend to be life's fundamental physical necessities we cannot function well without such as air, food, drink, warmth and shelter; and the basic psychological needs of safety, love and belonging, esteem and recognition.
Wants are usually the more tangible things we can see, taste and touch. The media shower us with images of stuff they try to persuade us we need, which essentially feed into our greed.
Needs tend to be life's fundamental physical necessities we cannot function well without such as air, food, drink, warmth and shelter; and the basic psychological needs of safety, love and belonging, esteem and recognition.
Wants are usually the more tangible things we can see, taste and touch. The media shower us with images of stuff they try to persuade us we need, which essentially feed into our greed.
Perhaps I've got this skewed? God's word reminds us that He fully supplies all our needs:
Perhaps the secret to having Godly 'wants' is to tune into what God wants us to have.
That being the case, I think I want, above all, to be:
"You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand" ~ Psalm 16:11
Earthly things are transitory and fleeting, needful and necessary as they may be. There is no deep, lasting satisfaction to be had outside of relationship with Him.
So, if this is what I long to have more of, then what needs to be reduced to make it possible?
Peace isn't possible without resting to some extent (both mentally and physically), which calls for a greater awareness of the value of each activity and deciding where the best focus should be.
"You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you." ~ Isaiah 26:3
Spending time in God's presence to hear His voice requires active listening and less distractions (builders take note!).
Occasionally, God has blessed me with peace falling down like a warm comfort blanket from heaven just when I needed it. Such grace-filled moments are to be treasured.
More often than not, it is hard fought for as I have to earnestly seek and pursue it. For peace itself is not dependent on our circumstances being calm, easy or comfortable.
Such comfort-driven peace can lull us into a false sense of security where we expect to feel at peace before we realise it is ours to experience through seeking and finding by faith. Our peace is found in having an inner resting confidence in God's character and Word.
Occasionally, God has blessed me with peace falling down like a warm comfort blanket from heaven just when I needed it. Such grace-filled moments are to be treasured.
More often than not, it is hard fought for as I have to earnestly seek and pursue it. For peace itself is not dependent on our circumstances being calm, easy or comfortable.
Such comfort-driven peace can lull us into a false sense of security where we expect to feel at peace before we realise it is ours to experience through seeking and finding by faith. Our peace is found in having an inner resting confidence in God's character and Word.
Seeking His Presence calls for actively cutting back on what hinders it. So much can clutter up our lives without us even noticing it. Awareness, rescheduling and prioritising are vital.
The benefits are huge:
"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace" ~ Psalm 29:11
Isn't that just what I want, what I really, really want, anyway? (Apologies to The Spice Girls)
Over to you:
What are you seeking to have more or less of in your life?
What is your highest need/want right now?
Linking here with Holley Gerth and the rest of the God-sized Dream Team
We would love you to share the dream God has planted in your heart this year. Do join in with the comments below.
Joy, you have given us another wonderful post. Now, I know what to pray for: some peace -- less banging, whirring, etc. My noise frustration today was a tiresome squirrel in the attic.
ReplyDeleteTalk to you later.
Love, Debby
Squirrels in the attic? Sounds like a story in the making! Life is rarely as quiet or peaceful as we might wish it to be. Praise God for His Peace that passes understanding. Thanks very much, Debby. I am always touched and blessed by your lovely comments. xx
DeleteOh, Joy. More peace, more inspiration, more direction, more confidence. More patience, more forgiveness, more courage. More sleep.
ReplyDeleteI find that the farther I wander from Him, the less of these things I have in my life. Every time I find myself lost and panicky I wonder for the life of me why I went off to do my own thing when I know quite well that peace of mind (and all that follows) is only found Where He Is.
Thank you for this. Focused my thoughts this morning. Bless you.
Oh yes, Helen, 'Amen' to all the above! Our pilgrim hearts so easily stray down wrong pathways until the Father gently draws us back. As our thoughts focus more on God and His ways, He blesses us with joy and peace in abundance. Have a blessed week resting in Him. Love xx :)
DeleteThanks Joy for all you words. I need uninterrupted sleep. I will always wake up so early in the morning. I would also like to have more discipline in my life with God. Thank you for this beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteUninterrupted sleep sounds blissful to me too. Will be praying that your sleep improves soon. There are always areas in our life with God where we are aware of the need for improvement or change. Such insights are Holy Spirit given to encourage us to seek Him more. Thank you once again for your sweet words, Jedidja. :) xx
DeleteLove this post Joy - you always speak with such wisdom and insight. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteReally encouraged by your kind comment, James. Thank you for sharing here too. Bless you :)
DeleteEven without the pounding and noise we can have clatter inside our souls. I guess what I want more than anything right now is rest in knowing He is enough. Whatever is going on around me, inside of me, I want to know it doesn't matter, nothing matters but Him.
ReplyDeleteGood post, Joy. A gentle reminder it's His presence we need, no matter what.
Yes indeed, Anne. That internal dialogue can be deafening! Knowing that He is enough is the best thing possible. May you be greatly blessed in the seeking of it. :) xx
DeleteGreat post, Joy. A "hungar for His presence"...always amazed at how this alone can carry us through even the roughest days.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. It is a great gift and a desire He is so willing to answer and bless us with. Thanks very much, Eileen, for joining in the conversation. Really appreciate it! Bless you :) xx
DeleteA wonderful post that shows the difference between "I want" and "I need."
ReplyDeleteWhat we need is given to us by the Universe, if we ask or intend...Very few of the "wants" are necessary.
Every day, I affirm the words of an "angel":
"I deserve everything good! Success is my Divine heritage!"
Blessings, Joy!
Thank you for your lovely comment. As you so rightly say, 'Very few of the "wants" are necessary'. Yes indeed. Though it may take a long time to reach that conclusion. Bless you :)
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