“Whatever Jesus wills for us is what is best for us.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 11, 2024
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. Mark 10:51a, NIV
Throughout the Gospels, we frequently encounter Jesus putting a simple yet profound question before people he encounters, simply asking, “What do you want?” In truth, our answer to this question has the ability to shape and define our entire life with God and the nature of our journey of discipleship. Thus, it is a question that we should ask ourselves day in and day out.
When Jesus asks us what we want, we should be quick to realize that what we say we want and what we actually want are not always the same thing! Our Lord knows our thoughts and sees the hidden places of our hearts, so it does us no good to say one thing yet long for another. At this very moment, what is the thing you long for more than anything else? What is the truest answer to our Lord’s question? “Jesus, I want to be loved.” “Jesus, I want to be respected.” “Jesus, I want a nicer home or fancier car.” “Jesus, I want to be fitter and more attractive.” “Jesus, I want to be remembered.”
These desires and countless more like them are held close to our hearts, animating our actions and shaping our imaginations. And while they may not always come from a broken or bent place, they will often lead us astray, for at their core, they are still rooted in a self-oriented and self-fulfilled vision of life. Yes, Jesus asks us, “What do we want?,” yet we must learn to hear these words and turn them back toward him, saying in response, “I want what you want.”
Whatever Jesus wills for us is what is best for us. This is a foundational truth upon which a life of genuine discipleship is built. And when this question – “What do you want from me? – is held ever before us, we have a filter through which we can begin to make sense of the host of desires that compete for our heart’s attention. Take any desire you have, hold it out, and offer it to the Lord, saying, “Is this what you want for me?” In this way, we will slowly but surely begin to train our desires and attune our ears to the prompting and guiding of our loving Lord.
Prayer
Father, I want what you want, for I know that anything that comes from you is good and the source of abundant life, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
Turn this statement into a prayer, taking time throughout the day today to say aloud, “I want what you want.”
Related Reading
Matthew 9:29-30; Luke 18:41-43; John 5:6
Worship Resource
The Worship Initiative feat. Davy Flowers: Only One
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