“What Do You Want?”
Why is it so difficult to verbalize our wants and needs, to have a vision for the future? In 2024, our society has plenty of voices trying to sell us something—the thing that will bring us happiness. And our world is very good at speaking its mind, telling us what we should want. So, what do you want?
Our society might be selling, but I am not buying. The world is not the source of my inner peace. Society doesn’t hold the right to speak on my behalf. Happiness isn’t something we can order online or manufacture out of thin air.
Yet, if Jesus asked the question, it’s an important one. What do you want/seek? John 1:38.
Let’s be clear about something; God is not a vending machine or a wishing well. We can’t simply wish a wish and expect it to arrive by FEDEX. But, He is asking the tough question so we seek Him for the answer.
You’re probably wondering where all this is coming from…
Well, when life gets chaotic, we often question. When our normal is suddenly not, we wonder if we should be heading in a different direction. It is a good thing. Because our walk with Jesus is an ongoing relationship. We are growing and moving all the time—He takes us through the wilderness as well as the mountain and some of those journeys become our biggest time of growth.
When life gets chaotic, we often question. When our normal is suddenly not, we wonder if we should be heading in a different direction. #WhatDoYouWant? Click To Tweet
When Life is a Challenge
2023 was a challenge. My husband and I went through health scares and navigated anxious moments as life as we knew it changed overnight. When faced with this kind of stress we go into survival mode, resulting in a brain fog that refuses to lift. We are seeing more clearly these days but for me, the residual has affected my creativity and writing especially. The words are just not there—haven’t been for months.
So to seek God for my purpose in this season, I decided to sign up for a workshop to create a vision board. I have mentioned these before and I have found them very helpful to create a vision in pictures of what I feel God is doing in and through me. It isn’t a new process for me…but when the instructor asked the question, What do you want?
I CAME UP BLANK.
Even this blog post is an attempt to prime the pump of what the what is. Eventually, I’ll figure out my core values and favorite verbs (these help to establish a mission statement), but for now, I am at the bare bones place of sitting at Jesus’ feet, asking for what I need.
For now, I am at the bare bones place of sitting at Jesus' feet, asking for what I need. #WhatDoIWant #JesusKnowsMe Click To Tweet
He is the One who formed me, envisioned my life before I was born, and numbers my days while filling them with purpose—He is the One who knows me inside out. So, it’s the perfect question to hear coming from the lips of Jesus.
So, rather than answering the question, of what I want—I am more interested in what I need. After an upheaved 2023, I need:
- To be still and know that He is God.
- To understand that He knows me better than I know myself, including what I need.
- And, He sees what the coming days look like as I seek fresh vision and purpose in my life.
Moving Ahead in 2024
So, as 2024 gets off the ground, I am fine with starting slow. The vision board will have to wait until I get a fresh vision of Him.
How about you? As Jesus asks the question, What Do You Want? How will you answer?
As Jesus asks the question, What Do You Want? How will you answer? #John1:38 Click To Tweet
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
I’ll keep you posted on this end,
Jeanne
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Love your comment, “The vision board will have to wait until I get a fresh vision of Him.” May He richly bless the time we all invest in doing this!
Thanks, Deb. I am sensing His favor in this time. Praying for His strength and wisdom in these trying days. The condition of the world is so concerning right now. “Help me to be a light”
Hi Jeanne,
So sorry to hear about your challenging season, yet rejoicing in what God is going to do and how He’s going to answer that question, “what do you want?” Typically “wants” tend to be self focused because it’s what we feel will bring us comfort. Time and time again it ends up leaving us empty. God supplies what we truly need to exist, the basics of life, food, shelter, and clothing. I guess when I think about Jesus asking what I want, I respond to truly live out who I was created to be. To co-labor with Him in the sphere of influence that He’s given to me. To be able to reflect Him to those who need Him. (which is every one) This Christian life is a journey. When we set out on a journey, we know the goal we want to reach but can’t always anticipate the twists and turns along the way. Even if we make it and achieve our goal, it may turn out to be a disappointment or not what we expected. I guess my point is to hold onto things in this life loosely and when Jesus asks what I want, to be able to say I want what You want for me. I may not know what that looks like but I will trust that we will get there together.
I so agree, Sheree,
I love your thoughts here: “when I think about Jesus asking what I want, I respond to truly live out who I was created to be. To co-labor with Him in the sphere of influence that He’s given to me. To be able to reflect Him to those who need Him. (which is every one) This Christian life is a journey. ”
That is my prayer too…to be available, open to His direction, and so in step with Him that I sense the nudges.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
As for the “wants”, It is only Him in the big picture things. Yet in a ministry sense, I want to know that I am heading in the right direction–vision for the future, even if it is one step at a time.
“For now, I am at the bare bones place of sitting at Jesus’ feet, asking for what I need.” I can’t think of a better place to start. Praying for you, Jeanne.
Thank you, Diana, for prayer and for visiting today
Such a great question ma’am. I want my answer to be, “Peace through the trial, rather than rescue from it, Lord.” Not sure it is, which means I’ve got some more praying to do. Thank you ma’am, and God’s blessings.
J.D., those are the hard answers!! So thankful He goes with us through every hard road. He is at work–always! Be encouraged. You are such an encourager to others.
Jeanne, very good post for me. What do I want? I just want to be a fragrant aroma to God like Jesus was. Eph. 5:2 My word for this year is Abide! Last year my word was peace and it seemed like I had to fight for that peace all year long. So this year I am learning to abide in Him which includes existing, continuing, dwelling, resting, waiting for, preparing, bearing, enduring and adhering to. So far it has been an exciting year. I have much more peace when I am in Him and not doing what I want. Thanks for this post! Hugs!
Thanks, Lyn. I appreciate your comments. I love how God gives us what we need.