Psalm 37:4
Do what the Lord wants, and he will give you your heart’s desire.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On Sundays, we usually take Timothy and Zola to lunch after church at a local fast-food restaurant. We’ve figured out that the kids are more interested in the “atmosphere” and the people in the restaurant (and the toys in their meal!) than they are in eating their actual food. So we have started ordering one child’s meal for them to share – plus an extra drink. Even at that, neither child ate much last Sunday, and we ended up taking their lunch home for them to finish later. This did not stop Timothy from asking for ice cream. We are making an effort to support the children’s parents in not giving them dessert if they don’t eat their main meal… so the answer was “Not today.”
Here’s the thing… we would walk across hot coals for our little ones. We would never fail to meet their needs…to see that they are fed, clothed, clean, protected, and healthy. But there are things we can – and will – do for them that go above and beyond their necessities… as rewards for good behavior. This is not a way to selfishly control the children. We are teaching them that positive actions and constructive efforts will be rewarded. And this is the message for us in Psalm 37:4.
God loves us. He wants us to succeed… to be healthy, happy, safe, fed, clothed, and protected. But He has SO much more that He wants to give us… if only we will listen, obey, and serve as He has commanded. When we begin to operate fully in doing what the LORD wants, the rewards sometimes flow so abundantly that we cannot even tie them directly to a specific thing we have said or done. Do not misunderstand me… I’m not necessarily speaking of tangible gifts that we can see, touch and feel. I’m talking about the subtle blessings, like joy and peace in your heart that comes from knowing that you helped someone else… did the right thing… or served when you really didn’t feel like doing so.
If you really want to experience your heart’s desire, do what the LORD wants…not expecting Him to bless you, but because you want to serve Him – because you are grateful for all He provides, and you love Him. The amazing part of this is that you will not only receive blessings, joy and peace… but you may actually be God’s vessel to deliver these rewards to someone else! Now that will truly give you your heart’s desire!
When we start to consciously ask God to show us what He wants… and act on the answers He gives us… this becomes second nature. Soon, our selfish motives and desires take a backseat to God’s plans… and we begin to operate in His abundance - His peace and joy. I don’t know about you, but these are pretty near the top of my list of “heart’s desires”… they are my “ice cream after lunch” - and I’m ready to do whatever I can to acquire them. Are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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