HOW BAD DO YOU [REALLY] WANT IT?

Many times we make statements or ask for things not really understanding the true depth of what we are saying or asking for. These requests or statements are often made sometimes in ignorance or because it sounds good at that particular moment. I can use my 8 year-old son as an example. He often asks for more dinner when in actuality he really does not need or want it. He sees his brother who is twice his age and three times his size getting second or third helpings, so he thinks he should too. I really want him to think long and hard about what he is asking for and the expectation or requirement if he gets it. So my response to him when he asks for more is “Are you sure? Because if I give it to you, you will have to eat it.”  There are times that he thinks about it and decides that “more” is not really what he wants or needs and he will say “Never mind.” and walk away.

Let’s take this even further than that, there are many people that say things like “God, I want to know you more!”; “God, I want more of you!”; “God  I want to be used mightily by you!” but the fact is that when God initiates the “process” of giving them what they said they wanted, they press the pause button. You see these “things” come in what I will refer to as “special packaging known as SACRIFICE and TRIALS/TESTS.  It often dictates that things in our lives have to be reorganized, redirected or sometimes completely deleted. This could include people, jobs/careers, personal dreams, or material things. You see when we make these declarations or requests to God, He has to do some prep work in our lives to get us to the point that He can do that which we have asked of Him.  I liken it to the process of deep cleaning or getting organized. Sometimes in the process things get messy before they get organized. It requires assessing what you have, what you need to keep, and what you need to throw away. It may also require tough decisions about getting rid of some things. It is often tiring and takes a lot out of you, but in the end your home is better and you are too.

So it is in our lives, in our walk with God. Getting to that “place” in Him we desire to be is not without a process; understand that it will cost something from us.  In His own way God asks us "Are you sure you want this?", "Do you really understand what you are asking me for?" If you are not sure if that’s what you really want, then don’t ask for it. But if you really want it as bad as you say you do, allow God to do the work in you to get you ready to receive it. Yes, it may be draining, difficult or even uncomfortable, but trust God and His process. He honors His Word and desires to use us for His glory. The question is “How bad do you (really) want it?

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~ For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it Luke 14:28

~ “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.“Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree. Jeremiah 29:13-14 The Message Bible