One Desire
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.” Psalms 73:25
As I quieted my heart this morning and began to pray, this Scripture was the soil of my petition and devotion. God has been refining my passions and purifying my desires to center on only one thing… Jesus.
Nothing else on earth should capture my attention or fulfill my desire like Jesus should. My restless soul is a draining oppression that is never satisfied. And if my life is patterned to follow this selfish course, my days are a waste and my heart is still discontent. Life centered on Christ is the path to joy – true, lasting joy – that is not affected by outward circumstances or inward feelings. Joy in Christ is passionate and satisfying. He is my one desire.
Instead of praying for desires I think need to be met, I struggle and strive to focus on Him as my one true desire, my Fullness for every emptiness.
My mind goes back to an entry in my journal about this same struggle:
As I quietly prayed in my heart this morning, I noticed a repetitive phrase entering my prayers above all else: “Lord, I desire…”
This is not to say that those desires were (are) wrong. Having more patience is a good desire. Strength for a friend is a good desire. A godly future husband is a good desire. But dependance on those desires is unhealthy and unbiblical for my heart. Even in my best attempts to have “focused prayer” on Jesus alone, my mind slowly wanders to the desires I want God to make happen.
I just desire so much.
Each day, my prayers are filled with what I perceive to be my greatest needs. I try to remind God of these needs, but He sees deeper into my heart than I do… and sees the greater need. My greatest needs are not what I think they are. My greatest need is Jesus: to experience Him, to know Him, to feel Him in every day. He is my all in all.
When Jesus becomes my one desire, all the other desires and needs I have fall into their rightful place; cast at the feet of Jesus. He becomes supreme in my heart… which is exactly where He needs to be. Earthy needs and desires dim in the light of His glory and grace. He alone meets my deepest and most desperate needs.
“I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and and my glory rejoices: my flesh will dwell securely.” Psalms 16:8-9
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Filed under: Reflections, Scripture on June 14th, 2008
I'm Kaysie, 22. Jesus follower. Lover of sunshine, trees, hot tea, books, music, family, the gospel, poetry and Barnes and Nobles. Has a weird obsession with paper. Over-analyzes almost everything. Adores simplicity. Lucky for you. 
Wonderful post, as usual Kaysie! Your thoughts remind me of today’s entry in My Utmost for His Highest that I read this morning. It’s up to us to abide in Christ and focus our thoughts on God. God can’t make us think about Him. Instead it takes effort on our part to make Him the one desire of our lives. Yes it can be hard, but it’s so worth it!
Have a great day,
Amanda
Amanda, thanks for your comment. Very true. It is an effort to stay “fixed” upon Christ but the rewards far outweigh the effort.
Ohhh…you have no idea of how much this post encouraged me. May the Lord bless you!
What a great reminder that in the midst of all the worldy desires I have that there is only one thing I should desire: Jesus.
Thanks for sharing!
Kaysie,
Your posts are so wonderful! They always speak to what I am facing in that moment and the challenges of my heart. Isn’t that just like God?!
You are such a blessing to me.
Wonderful post!
Jamie
http://jamiescottage.blogspot.com
Mindy, I am so glad you were blessed! You have often been a great encouragement to me… thanks.
Thanks for your comment.
Jamie, thank you for your comment! I checked out your blog… very lovely. Hope you stop by again.
Psalm 73:25-26 has been my favorite Scripture for many years. I love your thoughts on it.
This is so timely for me right now…I know the pain and the tears and the desire to escape these longings. I, too desire for my heart to be satisfied with Christ alone right now, for as long as He wills it. There is a constant need to guard the heart! I know that something beautiful is being created through these trials though, and that good things lie ahead for us. Stand firm – I’m standing with you!