a 3 “D” Relationship with God (pt. 2)

(part 2 of 3)

Somewhere along the way being FINE became our facade for spiritually mature.  Many of us have believed a dreadful lie that it’s better to cut ourselves off from desire – than to actually live into the depth of all that we long for in life.  When someone asks how we are doing we robotically puke our canned response “I’m doing fine – How are you?”  Most of the time I think we are just waiting for the other person to return our question with the same response… “Thanks for asking – I’m doing Fine also.”

What would you do if someone responded to your question with – “I am in the middle of pleading for God to give me the deepest desires of my heart – it is overwhelming, filled with raw emotion, sometimes I am anxious and afraid, I honestly wonder what I will do if this doesn’t happen, etc….how are you?”  Most of us have a hard time living that deep into our desires – or if we do we struggle with feeling like our desires reveal immaturity – instead of maturity.  But desire is essential in our life if we long to live completely ALIVE in Jesus.

I love what John Eldridge says in his book, “Desire“

“Why are we so embarrassed by our desire?  Why do we pretend we’re doing fine, thank you, that we don’t need a thing?  The persistent widow wasn’t too proud to seek help. Neither was the psalmist.  Their humility allowed them to express their desire.  How little we come to God with what really matters to us.  How rare it is that we even admit it to ourselves.  We don’t pray like Jesus because we don’t allow ourselves to be nearly so alive.  We don’t allow ourselves to feel how desperate our situation truly is.  We sense that our desire will undo us if we let it rise up in all its fullness.  Wouldn’t it be better to bury the disappointment and the yearning and just get on with life?  As Larry Crabb has pointed out, pretending seems a much more reliable road to Christian maturity.  The only price we pay is a loss of soul, of communion with God, a loss of direction, and a loss of hope.”

I (Jeanne) am realizing that to step out onto the wobbly faith limb of starting this church has been one of the greatest movements that could have happened in our life.  I no longer go through any kind of canned motion when it comes to my desires.  I am acutely aware of my desires every day and it has allowed me to live in a healthy desperation for God.

So why don’t you try this spiritual exercise – Finish the thought, “God my deepest desires are…”

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Here is what I wrote

• God I desire for you to lead me towards the people that you have already prepared to be a part of soul city church.  Increase my desire to trust that you will direct and prompt them and that I won’t need to convince or beg people to come.  God I desire for you to regularly surprise me with the provision of our financial resources for our family and for Soul City Church – increase my desire for sacrifice.  God I desire for you to simply sell our house.  God I desire to be more humble, honest, and bold in my leadership.  God I desire to be more patient, fun, and silly with my kids this week.

We would love for you to leave a comment with what YOU put in that space of DESIRE.  It is such a simple exercise and such a good reminder to not let DESIRE die in your life.

And make sure to check back over the next few days to hear how DESIRE works together with Discipline and Dependence.

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