I have a question for you today and, believe it or not, it’s an important one.
What do you want? I mean really want?
Can you explain—in detail—what you desire for your relationships, life, current season, ideal job, relationship with God, health, financial future, etc.?
Being able to articulate your desires is a vital key in reaching the dreams and goals you have for your life. I’d even go so far to say that knowing what you want actually gives you clues to your life’s purpose and assignment.
To give you context, here’s an snapshot from my own journey:
For many years, I looked outward to find the clues as to what ‘God’s will’ was for my life. I had a somewhat fatalistic if-it’s-God’s-will-it-will-just-happen viewpoint on how my destiny would unfold.
I was extremely concerned about doing the right thing and would often agonize for days, weeks, or even longer about what I should or shouldn’t do in a particular life decision. I didn’t actually believe that God trusted me to make good decisions (although this was an unconscious underlying belief) so I constantly looked to other people or circumstances to guide me, often ignoring my own intuition in the process.
In my early 30’s, I hit a wall. I was extremely tired and burnt out and even though I loved Jesus with all my heart, I came to the stark realization that the way I’d always done it wasn’t working.
This point of desperation drove me to reassess all I’d learned growing up in church about ‘God’s will’ and my own heart.
What I discovered not only set me free, it also set me on fire. ?
Here are just a few of the truths I’ve uncovered and I want to share them with you because they are true for you, too. (Read them as though they’re speaking about you.)
- Jesus trusts me. In fact, He trusts me even more than I trust myself.
- My heart is good. And because my heart is good, the desires of my heart are good and point me in the direction of my gifting, passions, and calling.
- While there are unhealthy ways of fulfilling desires, there are also healthy ways of fulfilling them as well. I can’t let fear of making a mistake cause me to shut down my desires altogether. Just because I’ve messed up in the past, or because other people might abuse their desires in a hedonistic way doesn’t mean the desires themselves are bad.
- God is delighted when I am honest with Him, and part of our relationship includes me laying out what I really want before Him. He is a good Daddy and loves giving me good gifts.
- Desire fulfilled is truly a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12b). Fulfilled desires beget more fulfilled desires. I’m meant to bear the fruit of desires fulfilled in my life.
- When I am grateful for the good that is going on in my life right now, I attract more good things. (I cannot overstate this truth. Thankfulness and gratitude matter A LOT!)
When I’m working with my coaching clients, one of the things I’m always aiming for is helping them articulate what their desired outcome is. I have a personal philosophy when I’m working with anyone and it’s this: “If you can tell me what you want, I can help you get it.”
But you have to be able to tell me what you want. ?
This isn’t something that always comes naturally to people, especially if we’ve walked through extended seasons of hardship or disappointment.
The first part of the verse from Proverbs that I quoted above says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” and if you’re anything like me, you’ve had some ‘heart sick’ seasons that have left you gasping for breath and wondering if you’ll ever feel normal again, let alone be able to dream again.
Wherever you are in life right now—on a mountaintop where you can see clearly for miles and miles, or in the valley where you’re simply putting one foot in front of the other and praying to get through the day—God has destined you to go from glory to glory. Your current season is simply a piece of a much larger, beautiful tapestry that’s being woven together.
If you’re stuck in your ability to dream right now, get out a journal and take some time to answer one or more of these questions. They are simple, but if you’re honest in your answers, they can be very insightful.
- If I was assured of success no matter what I chose, what would I do with my life?
- What did I dream about as a child? (Our childhood dreams often point to our natural gifts, and when we nurture our gifts, we nurture the parts of our soul that are creative and authentic.)
- What hurts to dream about and so I avoid thinking about it at all? (These areas may indicate places where you’ve suffered disappointments, but the underlying desires are still there.)
Once you’re done, look at your answers. Ask Jesus to speak to you about them. What’s highlighted? Are there any themes emerging?
If you want to share your answers with someone, find a friend to process with. Otherwise, you’re welcome to post your answer in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
Partnering with people as they learn to (re)discover their desires is one of my favorite things to do.
I’m believing that this season would be one where the dreams in your heart would find fresh expression and that hope and faith would fill your soul in new ways.
Remember, the best is yet to come.
Cheering you on, today and always,
