Thursday, November 9, 2017

Intense Desire




“Those who grow spiritually do not merely enjoy the Scriptures; they have a desire for it that is equal to the most fundamental longing of human experience” - John Koessler


As I read the quote above I was reminded of a long and drawn out conversation I had with my brother-in-law a couple years ago about cultivating desire. (I may have even publisged a blog post about it).  In order to attract something into our lives, we first need to have a deep desire for it. Desire is a mental state that we need to cultivate. The things that we desire most are what consume our lives, and whatever we most desire becomes a priority and is something we make time for no matter what. I found a lot of things that I struggle to making time for that should be at the top of my list. Reading, and spending time in the bible fall into that category, which means that my desire to read the bible must be really low, or, there are other things that I have a higher desire to do than read my bible. I do want to be in God’s word every day. But just wanting it doesn't seem to get me anywhere. I think I need to cultivate that "want" into an absolute desire. A want is very much like a desire, but, without the passion or commitment. A want says, "I wish I could have this." and a desire says, "I will find a way to have this, no matter what." There are always some not 'so important things' in your life that tend to take over. And there are things that easily help you waste time that you could be using to do things, such as, read your bible. I know there are things in my life that I have allowed to become a huge distraction to my spiritual life. How do I get rid of unhealthy desires though? And how do I re-kindle and build up right desires?
“Can we create a hunger for Gods word by sheer force of our will? The best way to develop a hunger for Gods word is to 'Taste and see that the Lord is good'" - John Koessler
In other words, the desire to know God and his word is not likely to develop instantaneously without knowledge of what his word is like. In the same way that we would not crave and develop a liking for certain foods unless we’ve tasted it before and know that we like it. Another way that I think you can cultivate desire is by being around hungry people, or people who are further on in the journey than you. Spiritual hunger is contagious. Is it not?

Just a little food for thought.

Rosanna ♥