Our Desires

Seek his will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6

When I decided to commit my heart to serve God, I understood that my desires would need to align with God’s standards. In order to follow Jesus’ example, I had to renounce all worldly pleasures that Satan offered. Giving up things did not leave me unhappy nor do I live a boring and mundane life. Because of my new life with God, I enjoy peace. Yes, I still experience hardships, but I live without worries or anxieties.

I do not possess ambivalence or feelings of resentment because living for God requires obedience and giving up things that prevent spiritual growth. In fact, relinquishing my choice to live for self was the best decision I have made. No longer do I have to face the consequences of making mistake after mistake. Placing my life in God’s hands has given me the option of giving my burdens to Him. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

After reading Genesis chapters 1-3, I fell in love with God. The earth was created for humanity. God designed a home filled with beauty. Because God is Omniscient, He was aware that Adam and Eve would desire more than the perfect life given to them. Even so, the Plan for Redemption was developed before God said, “Let us make man in our image.” Jesus agreed to die for human beings who would reject all that was holy and righteous for tangible possessions and worldly pleasures.

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Mark 8:36 

Our material possessions, including our money, are transient and are easily lost. The pleasures that we crave and will cause us to lose Eternal life only last for a moment in time. It is not true that “you only live once, so go for the gusto.” Because of sin, our world is filled with atrocities, heinous acts, disease and decay.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Romans 6:23. With thousands of people infected with a virus that cannot be curtailed, global climate change, an increase in hatred and inequality, and the crimes of human trafficking, and child molestation at an all-time high, the decline of our earthly home is at its peak.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going away to prepare a place for you?… John 14:1-3

As a Believer, I know that God has better plans for those who love Him, and we are preparing for Eternal life. God is love! God would not have created the human race and offer us nothing beyond our present wretched conditions. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13

Our desires are worthless compared to the promises of immortality in a perfect New Heaven and New Earth. I will never believe that our dedication to serve God ends with a chaotic world. Jesus suffered, died, and was resurrected for you and me. Remain obedient, faithful, and continue to trust in God’s promises.

My greatest desire is to receive the promised reward for doing my best to serve God faithfully. None of us can begin to understand the reward of Eternal life, but we can grasp God’s promises from reading the Bible, and that should give us the motivation to cast aside every worldly desire. Always make God first! His Son, Jesus, is coming to give us a life free from sin and it’s results; pain, disease, poverty, and death. In the New Heaven and New Earth all evil will be banished.

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 6 Then the angel said to me,” Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.” Revelation 22:1-6

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20

God, we thank you for the promise of one day that we will live eternally in the New Heaven and New Earth. Until then, we ask for your strength that we can live holy and acceptable lives. Please forgive us of our sins. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.