Holy Wants
This week we observe Thanksgiving Day. This observance will be followed quickly by the day we call, Black Friday. It is called that because it marks the day when many retailers begin to finally operate “in the black.” So the retailers and their ads have been crying out to us to need and want, to shop and buy, in precisely that season when we try to be content! Grateful for what we have!
And no one more than we, American Christians, are caught in the tension of these two days.
On the one hand, gratitude is everywhere praised in Scripture, and we know that we have more to be thankful for than anyone. On the other hand, we all still struggle with “the love of the world and the things in the world.” (1Jo 2:15)
So while we may be obediently considering our many blessings on Thursday, we’re also trying to keep from greedily outlining our “wish lists” and shopping agenda for Friday. We look at what we have and see what we want; the two urges battle within our hearts and minds.
I will not attempt to resolve this tension in this brief devotional.
However, I would like to point out something we have that we want.
In Philippians 2:13, Paul says that “God is at work in you, both to will (to desire) and to work for His good pleasure.” This Thanksgiving Day, take a moment to reflect on what you really want.
What desires has God worked in your heart—desires in you shaped by what He desires?
Perhaps it is the salvation of a friend, family member, co-worker, neighbor.
Perhaps it is spiritual comfort or growth for yourself or someone else.
Perhaps it is victory and deliverance, or healing and renewal.
Perhaps it is something for your church, or for your community.
Perhaps it is something else that you’re praying for (or even that you're not praying for).
Paul says that God is working in every single one of us *to want.*
We have wants, that want what He wants because His Spirit works those wants in us.
Want them.
This Thanksgiving Day give thanks for those Holy Wants.
You are not just a materialistic “hungry, hungry hippo,” grabbing and chomping on whatever is new, better, cheaper, more. Sure, there’s a little of that in us—okay.
But, Behold! there’s something else in us too. Something far, far better. Something far, far truer.
What do I really want?
Speak it before the LORD in prayer. Ask for it, and give thanks. God is at work in you. And by those things that you now want, His good pleasure will increase.
Praise God for the true wants of our true hearts!
Friends, I hope you feast with joy this Thursday. And for those of us heading out to shop, I hope you find surprising deals on precisely what you’re looking for.
Through it all, try to pay attention to those Holy Wants that God is stirring in your heart.
We give thanks, not just for what we have, nor even just for what God has done, but also this: that God is at work, even now. And such a good work it is!
Take heart. Be grateful and glad. God is at work. Your heart is His, and He is with you. Even to want.
PRAYER
Father God, every good and perfect gift comes from You. I'm reminded of that, this week of Thanksgiving. I'm also reminded of things happening in my heart that I'm not proud of--discontent, greed, envy, and foolishness. And yet, I know that beneath those old habits and ways of wanting, Your Spirit is working something new within me. You're creating in me a clean heart, renewing a right spirit within me. You're at work in me, both to will and to work for Your good pleasure.
And when I think of that, when I think of what You're doing in me, reflected in my truest and deepest desires, I get excited.
Thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You for continuing Your good work in me. Thank You for operating even beneath my conscious mind, and within it. Thank You for drawing me into Your heart, into Your life, into Your good pleasures. Thank You for making them my own. Thank You for, through those good desires, bringing to pass Your will in this world.
You are a wise and holy God, kinder and more gentle than I've ever imagined. You are "my portion," O LORD, and I see that this is enough. As I feast this week, in celebration of Your many kindnesses, and as, perhaps, I take advantage of a unique shopping day, be with me all the while, helping me to pay attention to the truer wants of my heart--Your heart in mine. May I be Your servant in all that I do.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Photo by Florian Pinkert on Unsplash