By: Payton M. Ishmael
“I wish someone would break your ‘wanter’,” my grandparents have told me since infancy. I’m not sure if it’s true, but they tease that my first word was ‘maw-mart’ which is Paytonese for “Wal-Mart.” Just like you, there are things that I wish for. I feel certain that I could fill this entire newsletter with my current wish list; books for my Kindle, a sports car, a new Burberry bag and maybe some Chanel shoes would be first in line. For these things, and those similar, our wisest game plan is to cut frivolous spending and save, save, save.
There are different types of wants, however, that can’t be written on a list nor purchased from a store. Instead these longings fulfill the desires of hearts. Although they do not trump our basic needs for survival like air, food and water they nonetheless provide fulfillment to our lives. These ‘desires’ bring about long-term joy while those afore mentioned ‘wants’ bring only temporary satisfaction.
When I was young, I could nag relentlessly I hopes of attaining my latest ‘want.’ I see this with kids today too. After the initial ‘no’ there’s at least 10 minutes of pleased and often deal-making. I’m amazed at the long list of chores kids will commit to in order to get their way. Please remind me when I have children to hold out as long as I can… free house keeping.
Our hearts’ wishes, though, don’t work this way. No amount of begging, pleading, nagging, or promise making will provide the things our souls long for. The cure for loneliness can’t be purchased. The mending for a broken heart can’t be granted by our favorite aunt. The direction for a lofty goal can’t be achieved through even the most Godly pastor. Guidance through the tangled webs we weave doesn’t come from mommy, daddy, sister nor husband. In fact, it’s much easier than that. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
I urge you to hear me out even if you don’t ever listen to me again. When you allow the Lord to take residence in your heart, everything else falls perfectly and divinely into place.
There are different types of wants, however, that can’t be written on a list nor purchased from a store. Instead these longings fulfill the desires of hearts. Although they do not trump our basic needs for survival like air, food and water they nonetheless provide fulfillment to our lives. These ‘desires’ bring about long-term joy while those afore mentioned ‘wants’ bring only temporary satisfaction.
When I was young, I could nag relentlessly I hopes of attaining my latest ‘want.’ I see this with kids today too. After the initial ‘no’ there’s at least 10 minutes of pleased and often deal-making. I’m amazed at the long list of chores kids will commit to in order to get their way. Please remind me when I have children to hold out as long as I can… free house keeping.
Our hearts’ wishes, though, don’t work this way. No amount of begging, pleading, nagging, or promise making will provide the things our souls long for. The cure for loneliness can’t be purchased. The mending for a broken heart can’t be granted by our favorite aunt. The direction for a lofty goal can’t be achieved through even the most Godly pastor. Guidance through the tangled webs we weave doesn’t come from mommy, daddy, sister nor husband. In fact, it’s much easier than that. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
I urge you to hear me out even if you don’t ever listen to me again. When you allow the Lord to take residence in your heart, everything else falls perfectly and divinely into place.
Written February , 2010 for House of Prayer newsletter Vol. 1 Issue 4
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