The Desires of Your Heart - Part #4

     The question is first posed to you around the age of four, usually by your preschool teacher or by a very nice, elderly lady at the grocery store.  After admiring how cute you are, her thoughts turn to the future as she bends down and asks you, "What do you want to be when you grow up?".  As you advance in years this question starts to morph into ones like these:  "What college are you going to?  What are you going to major in?  Have you thought about what you want to do with the rest of your life?"  While you might not know the answers to these questions, hopefully you will know the answer to this one, "What is the root of each of these questions?"  Answer,  "What do you want?"  Most of us start to formulate our own desires and goals for our life at an early age.  This is not a bad thing!  Often God will use our desires to guide and lead us in His will when we are seeking after Him.

What are your desires?
     The other night my family and I were watching a documentary about a missionary.  As the story of this man and his work in Bangladesh unfolded, it was inspiring to see others come alongside of him and together be used in the spread of the gospel.  However, they weren't all alike in their abilities.  This particular missionary ran a coffee shop.  While a former farmer from Iowa helped persecuted Christians grow coffee beans to support their families and discipled men in remote villages.  Another man enjoyed mechanics and worked as a pilot flying in much needed supplies and other resources for remote villages, as well as transporting missionaries in and out of areas.  It was amazing to see how God used the desires, talents and abilities of each of these different people for His glory and the spread of the gospel all in Bangladesh.  God knows what He is doing when He lays certain desires on our hearts!
     So let me ask you, "what do you desire?"  That question is a little loaded so let's break it down.

• What talents has God given you?
• What things do you enjoy studying or doing? (science, history, mechanics, engineering etc?) 
• What are you passionate about?
• What are goals that you have for your life? (marriage, certain job, missions work, learning to ski? :)
• Do you want to go to college?
• If you could plan out your life, what would it look like?

     These questions and others can help you catch a vision for what you desire.  (I would encourage you to take some time to think about these questions and write down the answers.  It will help organize all your thoughts and maybe even bring clarity to your mind as you think about what you want for the future.)

What Season Are You In?

     Having desires is not a bad thing but we do have to keep in mind the season of life that God has called us

One day they will fit, but not now.

to.  For example, some of you might really want to be married, but God has not brought anyone into your life.  Or you may want to be a CEO of a large company but that too is not possible in your life at this time. Greg Harris, pastor and conference speaker, once said that there are four seasons of life:

1.  Learning
2. Business and Babies
3. Ministry
4. Influence

What season are you in right now?  My guess is most of us are still in the learning season of life.  God has given us a great opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and skills during this season that will one day help us when we venture onto other phases of life.  Having a desire is a good thing, but can it be accomplished right now?  If not, I would encourage you to make it a goal.  It might take a lot of time and several steps before you achieve it, but there are times when God tells us to wait.  There is a time and a season for everything.  Faithfully serve God in whatever season you find yourself.   Don't get so focused on fulfilling your goals and getting to the next season of life that you miss out on the blessings that God has for you right now.  

Seek Counsel:

   

Desire without knowledge is not good,
and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

Proverbs 19:22

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Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14

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In abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 24:6

      Let's be honest, we don't know everything.  There is great danger when we hold tightly to our plans and  adopt a 'my way or the highway' attitude about the future.  Oh the folly and disaster we fall into when we do not seek counsel.  First of all, we must seek counsel from the Lord through reading His Word and prayer. He knows everything.  Second of all, we should seek counsel from those who are older than us who are walking in wisdom.  This might be our parents, pastor, mentor or a little of each.  Do not be afraid to ask those who are older and wiser than you to help give you insight.  Ask them about your plans. What do they think and what would they do.  Take their encouragement and even their correction. Examine it in light of scripture and make adjustments as needed.  Hold your plan with a loose hand because I can tell you without a doubt, it will change:) 

So my encouragement for you would be this:

• Take time to think and pray about the questions above.  Write down the answers. 
• Make goals in an outline that are 'season of life' sensitive.
• Seek counsel through prayer and conversations with those who are older and wiser.
• Surrender it to the Lord (More on this next week!)

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9