Friday, February 22, 2013

What Do You REALLY want Out of this??


That’s right folks! My question is simple, what is it that you REALLY want out of this life of yours?! What might the journey to obtaining the life that you’ve dreamed of look like?  Is this something that you’ve ever just sat back and honestly pondered? I’d encourage you to do so and here’s why à

Often, when we consider our lives, we think “big picture” (overall desires that if achieved we believe will yield us the satisfaction for which we’ve always hoped) or “little picture” (instant desires that will make us happy and/or satisfied at the moment). But what I’ve learned is this; it is dangerous to have DESTINATIONS in mind without at least considering the JOURNEY.

In my life journey one principle that God continually drills into my mind is the importance of “his desires being my desires”. So, I’ve incorporated this into my prayers, “Lord make your desires my desires 1) so that I am not resistant to what you want for me, 2) so I can be in your perfect will, 3) so that I have peace in whatever state you have me in knowing that anything that you allow for me to experience here on this earth is out of love, and 4) so that I have peace and joy, even in unforeseen circumstances knowing that Rom. 8:28 is applicable in my life.” Now don’t go getting this twisted…it’s not easy (hence the need for the prayer). I have realized that unless God captivates my mind and my heart, I am bound to be a HOT MESS! My desires will be all about gratifying my flesh, partaking in the lust of my flesh and the pride of life. But I do believe (and it has proven to be true in my life) that God is capable and desires to transform our hearts and minds to sanctify us for His GOOD work. *check out Ephesians 2:10*

I always wanted to be a physician and not just a physician but I desired to open up free clinics to provide free services to minorities with low socio-economic status (low education, low-income, low-social status). I wanted to do medical research too! I remember being a little girl pulling up roots from the yard and running in to tell my parents that what I found outside could be the cure for cancer (ok, I may have been a little weird LOL). Ultimately, I wanted to be appointed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the highest medical official in the United States)….Oh yes honey!! I had lofty goals and I was well on my way to achieving them! But my plan, although cute, was not what God had in mind. Before I even knew to ask for His desires to be my desires, God started to transform my desires. He began exposing me to people, showing me a need for Him and His truth, showing what He REALLY created me to accomplish and giving me little snapshots of my future (which I didn’t really understand). I became intrigued and THEN I started to ask for Him to share His heart for my life with me. Now, I have a clear vision for what I want out of life (what God wants for my life), I am clear about the fact that my life is for God’s glory, and the passion burning in my heart is His fire and not my own.

Now, that I am clear about what I want out of life and why I want what I want (for God’s glory)….You’d think that it would all go according to “your” plan right?! After all, your plan is God’s plan. That couldn’t be further from the truth. God ain’t (yes, I said ain’t) interested in getting on your little boat (that would compromise His sovereignty); His desire is for us to hop on His ship! That means that although we have an end vision, we have to submit to God bringing our lives together anyway that He deems necessary. That means that we have to be more concerned with the journey than the destination. The beauty of the story is always in the journey but our innate human nature desires to focus on the destination. But as aforementioned, the comfort and peace comes in knowing that after you’ve submitted your life to Christ, EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE IS OUT OF THE LOVE OF GOD. Even the circumstances that seem horrible is God demonstrating His love to you. Sounds crazy?! We don’t have to understand God’s methods *see Isaiah 55:9* …our little minds can’t even handle such knowledge but we can make a choice to accept it.  This journey isn’t easy but boy is it rewarding!

What do you really want out of life? Is it truly what God desires of you? What does the journey look like? Are you down for whatever? God is looking for ride-or-die disciples. People who say, Lord I don’t get it but where you go I will follow, if you’re here with me I’ll keep going. *see Matthew 16:24 and Luke 9:23* Ask God to test your heart and reveal it to you. This test helped me to see that I wasn’t as pure as I thought I was (Jeremiah 17:9), I didn’t know as much as I thought I knew and I that I am completely insignificant outside of Christ. Thank God that He gives wisdom to all liberally and without reproach (James 1: 5). Lord Jesus! Help us live this life, it’s not easy but we TRUST you…If you don’t do it, it won’t get done! Amen.

With lots of love,

Kristin Sarai xo