05/04/2025 What do you want?
5 Day Devotional
Day 1: Understanding Our Desires
Devotional
We often feel guilty about our desires and wants, as if having them makes us less spiritual. But desires themselves aren't the problem. God intentionally created us with the capacity to want and yearn - for relationships, for purpose, for beauty, and even for material things. These longings are part of our human nature, designed by our Creator. The key isn't to suppress these desires but to understand them and bring them to God.
Bible Verse
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. - Psalms 139:13-14
Reflection Question
What desires do you tend to feel ashamed about, and how might viewing them as part of God's design change your perspective?
Quote
God made you to want things. He made you to want things. He made you to have desire. He wants you to have community.
Prayer
Father, thank you for creating me with desires and longings. Help me to see these desires through Your eyes and to trust that You understand every yearning of my heart. Give me wisdom to bring these desires to You first. Amen.
Day 2: The Purpose of Our Longings
Devotional
Every desire points to something deeper - a God-given need that He wants to fulfill in His perfect way and timing. When we feel lonely, we're experiencing the echo of our need for community that God Himself established. When we yearn for security or comfort, we're touching on our fundamental need for God's presence and provision. Understanding this helps us redirect our longings to their true source.
Bible Verse
The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.' - Genesis 2:18
Reflection Question
What earthly things have you been using to try to fill a spiritual need in your life?
Quote
The problem is most of us aren't pursuing Him. We're pursuing things that are trying to fill the hole of Him.
Prayer
Lord, help me recognize when I'm trying to fill Your space with other things. Guide me to seek You first in meeting my deepest needs. Thank you for being the ultimate fulfillment of all my longings. Amen.
Day 3: The Power of Community
Devotional
Walking the path of disciplined desires isn't meant to be a solo journey. God has given us the gift of community to help us navigate our wants and needs in a healthy way. When we share our struggles with trusted believers, they can offer wisdom, accountability, and encouragement. Together, we can better discern God's voice and timing.
Bible Verse
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. - Acts 2:46-47
Reflection Question
How could sharing your desires and struggles with trusted believers help you grow in your faith journey?
Quote
You cannot fight this battle alone. You need to be in community. You need to be with somebody to help you study the Bible together.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the gift of community. Help me be vulnerable with trusted believers who can support my spiritual growth. Guide me to be that same support for others. Amen.
Day 4: Surrendering Our Desires
Devotional
One of the most challenging aspects of spiritual growth is learning to surrender our desires to God. This doesn't mean our desires disappear, but rather that we trust God's timing and wisdom in fulfilling them. When we cast our cares upon Him, we acknowledge that He knows what's best for us and when it's best to receive it.
Bible Verse
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. - Ecclesiastes 3:11-13
Reflection Question
What desire do you need to surrender to God's timing and wisdom today?
Quote
Cast all that on him. Let him deal with that. He cares for you. Let him carry that burden for you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I surrender my desires to You. Help me trust Your timing and Your wisdom. Thank You for caring about every detail of my life and for carrying my burdens. Amen.
Day 5: Finding Joy in God's Provision
Devotional
When we align our desires with God's will, something beautiful happens - we begin to find deep satisfaction in His provision. This doesn't mean we get everything we want, but rather that we learn to delight in what God gives us. Our hearts become tuned to His rhythm, and we discover that His plans for us are better than anything we could have designed ourselves.
Bible Verse
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalms 37:4
Reflection Question
How has God's provision in your life been different from - and better than - what you initially wanted?
Quote
We serve a good God, a God who loves us. And he knows your wants and needs, and he knows what's best for you, and he knows how to best care for you.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being a good Father who knows exactly what I need. Help me find my greatest delight in You and trust Your perfect provision for my life. Amen.