Do you have a list of “I wants?” Many people do.
I want a new IPOD. I want a new cell phone. I want a new car. I want new clothes. I want to earn more money. I want more respect. I want a spouse…and the list continues to grow.
Spending one’s days thinking about what one wants all the time is not an enjoyable way to live. It’s a feeling of lack constantly objectified. And the antidote is to replace the “I want something material…” with “I want to know God better. I want to grow spiritually. I want to express God better!”
When your “I want” list transforms from selfish pursuit to God-reflection, life is fun and pleasant. One doesn’t spend all day thinking about what he or she lacks, but rejoices in what he or she already has!
God has endowed you with the greatest assets life has to offer. And these assets are not material things that come and go. They are the riches of Spirit which put bounce in your step, light in your thought, purpose in your work, and hope into your future. They are the treasures of love, gratitude, peace of mind, spiritual mindedness and boundless joy.
So, instead of thinking about all the material things you don’t have, think about all the spiritual things you do have. And enjoy a most satisfying day.
Showing posts with label wants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wants. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Living without want
There is incredible freedom in not wanting. Have you ever noticed that?
Think of a time, if you’ve ever had one, when you really wanted something, and it just didn’t happen.
Maybe you wanted a different job, more income, another place to live, a boyfriend, or time to hurry up. And it didn’t happen! How enjoyable was the time you spent agonizing over getting something you wanted and you never got it? Probably not fun at all.
There’s a lesson in all this. God always gives us what we need, but when we put our “I want…” list first before listening to what God has in store for us, we miss out on the supply already at hand.
Harboring an unfulfilled “I want” list is a sure recipe for living a frustrated and discontented life.
I used to have “I want” lists. I probably still do. But I’ve learned to temper them way down. Why? Because they often don’t work out, and something much better transpires.
God always has our best interests in Mind, and a good purpose is constantly being worked out for us.
Constructing “I want” lists is a sign that we see ourselves as lacking, as needing, as uncared for by God. It’s not a good thing, really. Life is much happier when we spend each day grateful for what we have and trust continued blessings to unfold according to God’s plan.
Let go of those “I want” lists and replace them with “I’m grateful I have everything I need to be happy coming from God right now” lists. You’ll feel much better!
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Paul
It certainly is.
Think of a time, if you’ve ever had one, when you really wanted something, and it just didn’t happen.
Maybe you wanted a different job, more income, another place to live, a boyfriend, or time to hurry up. And it didn’t happen! How enjoyable was the time you spent agonizing over getting something you wanted and you never got it? Probably not fun at all.
There’s a lesson in all this. God always gives us what we need, but when we put our “I want…” list first before listening to what God has in store for us, we miss out on the supply already at hand.
Harboring an unfulfilled “I want” list is a sure recipe for living a frustrated and discontented life.
I used to have “I want” lists. I probably still do. But I’ve learned to temper them way down. Why? Because they often don’t work out, and something much better transpires.
God always has our best interests in Mind, and a good purpose is constantly being worked out for us.
Constructing “I want” lists is a sign that we see ourselves as lacking, as needing, as uncared for by God. It’s not a good thing, really. Life is much happier when we spend each day grateful for what we have and trust continued blessings to unfold according to God’s plan.
Let go of those “I want” lists and replace them with “I’m grateful I have everything I need to be happy coming from God right now” lists. You’ll feel much better!
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Paul
It certainly is.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Who wants what?
What does God want me to do?
Is this a question you ask frequently?
How often do we ponder, “What do I want?” instead. It’s a common refrain.
Public educators, motivational speakers, counselors often start with the question “What do you want?”
It sounds so legitimate. After all, who wouldn’t want their own personal dreams, wants and desires fulfilled? And pronto, of course.
But does pursuit of personal desires bring genuine happiness in the long run?
I’m not so sure.
I’ve seen many people caught up in the rat mill of seeking only what they wanted, but never finding it. I’ve done it myself. They might spend years, even decades, pursuing the elusive wealth, or spouse, or promotion at work. And all for what? Nothing to show for the effort.
When this happens, does this mean God has forsaken us? No. It usually means there’s a different plan to pursue, a more spiritually inspired design.
When I was young, I was absolutely certain, beyond a doubt that my future was to be rich. I focused my energies on reaching that goal, but along the way, found no genuine joy. My life was missing something important. After sufficient suffering, I decided that my plan was not God’s plan, and that’s why I suffered. He had a different design for me to follow.
It took a few years of growth in humility and understanding, but eventually I dropped my goal of accumulating wealth and focused on perfecting my practice of spiritual healing. It was one of the wisest decisions I ever made. I finally found true happiness, and it was because I followed God’s plan, not mine.
Jesus Christ never started with asking, ”What do I want?” He began with “What does God want?” And he was richly rewarded for faithfully following God’s will. We will be too.
So, when the question pops up, “What do you want?” or “What do I want?” don’t get caught in the dead end trap of serving-self first. It’s not what you want that matters. It’s what God wills that brings the large rewards.
I want more money…I want my boss to change…I want a bigger car…I want recognition…I want a skinnier waist…I want a nicer husband…I want…I want…I want…it’s all the mortal self entwined within itself, and it can get very dark in those human ego-centered corridors.
Break out of the “I want” syndrome, and get into what God wants. God always wants the best, and He provides it. The sooner you get onto His plan, the better life’s events are going to unfold.
“What do I want?” can be answered with, “What does God want?” That’s the more productive path to walk.
Is this a question you ask frequently?
How often do we ponder, “What do I want?” instead. It’s a common refrain.
Public educators, motivational speakers, counselors often start with the question “What do you want?”
It sounds so legitimate. After all, who wouldn’t want their own personal dreams, wants and desires fulfilled? And pronto, of course.
But does pursuit of personal desires bring genuine happiness in the long run?
I’m not so sure.
I’ve seen many people caught up in the rat mill of seeking only what they wanted, but never finding it. I’ve done it myself. They might spend years, even decades, pursuing the elusive wealth, or spouse, or promotion at work. And all for what? Nothing to show for the effort.
When this happens, does this mean God has forsaken us? No. It usually means there’s a different plan to pursue, a more spiritually inspired design.
When I was young, I was absolutely certain, beyond a doubt that my future was to be rich. I focused my energies on reaching that goal, but along the way, found no genuine joy. My life was missing something important. After sufficient suffering, I decided that my plan was not God’s plan, and that’s why I suffered. He had a different design for me to follow.
It took a few years of growth in humility and understanding, but eventually I dropped my goal of accumulating wealth and focused on perfecting my practice of spiritual healing. It was one of the wisest decisions I ever made. I finally found true happiness, and it was because I followed God’s plan, not mine.
Jesus Christ never started with asking, ”What do I want?” He began with “What does God want?” And he was richly rewarded for faithfully following God’s will. We will be too.
So, when the question pops up, “What do you want?” or “What do I want?” don’t get caught in the dead end trap of serving-self first. It’s not what you want that matters. It’s what God wills that brings the large rewards.
I want more money…I want my boss to change…I want a bigger car…I want recognition…I want a skinnier waist…I want a nicer husband…I want…I want…I want…it’s all the mortal self entwined within itself, and it can get very dark in those human ego-centered corridors.
Break out of the “I want” syndrome, and get into what God wants. God always wants the best, and He provides it. The sooner you get onto His plan, the better life’s events are going to unfold.
“What do I want?” can be answered with, “What does God want?” That’s the more productive path to walk.
“Not my will, but Thine be done.” Jesus Christ
