What Do You Want Me to Do for You?
Do you ever just want more? More peace. More purpose. More power. Your desire is calling you deeper. Not to just know all about God but to know Him intimately. That desire from within is a hunger for more of God. The Almighty. The King of kings and Lord of lords. Creator and sustainer of the universe. The One who spun the stars into space and counts every hair on your head. The Man of Sorrows who sends the Comforter.
The great I Am wants more of you too. The Bread of Life is here to feed you. The Living Water is eager to quench your thirst. The Light of the World longs to shine your path, revealing His way. Can you even imagine such a thing?
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” —1 Corinthians 2:9
Beyond all imagination we are loved and invited into love.
Hear Jesus as He longs to keep company with you: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28–30 The Message).
Will you go to Him and let Him teach you? Why not begin by recognizing your own desire?
Sit quietly for a moment and ask God to reveal the deepest desire of your heart.
Jesus once asked blind Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). Restoring his sight seemed like the apparent answer, but Jesus forced Bartimaeus to put his desires into words and a plea, “My Rabbi . . . I want to see!” (v. 51).
Jesus asks you today, “What do you want Me to do for you?” What is your answer?
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If part of your answer was like part of mine, then you are desperate to dwell in a deep and intimate relationship with the one who knows you best and loves you most. But there is partnership in pursuing such a life-giving journey. Ruth Haley Barton points out that “Our part is to offer ourselves lovingly and obediently to God. God’s part is to work within us and our desires doing what He alone can do.” She suggests a way to begin: “We bring our ache for change, our longing for belonging, our desperation to make a difference. Then we keep company with Jesus by making space for him through a spiritual discipline… But unless we open ourselves to him through spiritual practices, we will miss his coming altogether.”
This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.” —Jeremiah 6:16
A lot of people want to be spiritual. But the truth is most people don’t want it enough to do what it takes to be godly, wise, and, yes, holy. We cannot know God and live the life He calls us to by simply having a weekly spiritual rhythm (church, a Bible study). We must spend time with Him in prayer, meditation on and study of His Word, and worship through a daily spiritual rhythm. What is that old, godly way in which Jeremiah encourages us to walk? It is the ancient practice of spiritual disciplines. And there truly is no other way. Trust me.
“What do you want Me to do for you?” During this season of Lent as you prepare to celebrate Christ’s resurrection, perhaps you must state the obvious. Whatever it is, be assured He already knows your deepest desire. But He also longs for you to draw near and dwell deep – to talk with Him and to ask.
under the mercy, Lucinda
“Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity and Strength”
©2021 Lucinda Secrest McDowell www.LucindaSecrestMcDowell.com
Lucinda Secrest McDowell is a storyteller and seasoned mentor who engages both heart and mind while “Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength.” She has authored 15 books including “Soul Strong – 7 Keys to a Vibrant Life” and “Life-Giving Choices – 60 Days to What Matters Most.” She writes from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England and shares encouraging words at LucindaSecrestMcDowell.com
Enjoy 40 Days of Lenten Devotions “Renew” in my book “Dwelling Places” HERE
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Amazed by grace (your book title) that God invites us to dwell with Him and finds us lovely because He loves us.