What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I ask the question, “If you could have anything you wanted, what would it be?” Would it be a physical item? Would it be wealth? Would it be health? Would it be an experience?
Assuming all of our base needs are met, what we desire says a lot about us.
Of all of the things in this life, I desire experiences most, and especially experiences that involve going to new places and doing things I’ve never done before. Through my life experiences, I have learned a few beneficial things.
One of the first things I learned was, specifically in reference to going new places, is that while there is some level of satisfaction found in the experience, it is not ultimately satisfying.
Once I’ve been to a new place, the new of the new place wears off quickly and, typically, before I leave that place, I’m already thinking of where I might go next.
I’ve also learned that the number of places that I have time to see in my lifetime is very limited. Even the places that I have frequented the most, such as the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, are so vast that I will not be able to explore everything there in my life.
Understanding my limitations in life used to make me sad, until I learned that which truly satisfies in life and prepares me for eternal satisfaction in the next life, and that is aligning my desires with God’s desires as much as possible.
When I learned of the satisfaction that could be had doing this, it was a game changer in my life. For instance, the greatest personal satisfaction I feel now is 1) Preaching on Sunday morning and 2) Doing short-term missions in Honduras.
When we discover what God has created us to do and when we live out the desires that He designed us to have, not for our own satisfaction, but for His glory, we end up as satisfied as we can be in this life.
The Apostle Paul had a great desire to go to Rome (Romans 1:11-12). God desired that Paul go to Rome. When the desire of Paul matched the desire of God, it happened. Sometimes Paul wanted to go places that God didn’t want him to go, and God prevented him (Acts 16:6).
When things don’t work out the way you want them to, keep knocking and seeking for what God wants you to do. When what you want lines us with what God wants, you’ll be better off and find a greater satisfaction.
Much love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
