What do you Want ? Part I

 Don’t you think that’s a great question for Jesus to ask you? This is especially true because He has the power and ability to meet your every need or desire.

“What do you want?”

            When Jesus and the disciples left Jericho, there were 2 blind men calling after Him even though the crowd was telling them to be quiet. Jesus asked, “What do you want?” It was obvious they wanted healing, but Jesus made them verbalize it. Do you really know what you want from God? It’s surprising that many of us haven’t actually verbalized what we want God to do for us. Why should we have to ask? Doesn’t God already know? Of course He does.

Yet something happens on the inside of us when we speak out to God with clarity in our requests. Many times we can be vague…bless everyone…do everything that needs to be done…etc. When we are specific in our prayer requests, we know our prayers were answered.  Wouldn’t it been strange for the blind men to answer, “Or nothing really Jesus…just bless our lives and that’s good.”

“What do you want?”

            James and John sent their mother to make a request from Jesus. They boldly said, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask.” Jesus asked, “What do you want?” Their request to sit on Jesus’ right and left side made the other disciples grumble.  

Verbalizing your request helps you discover your true motives. Is it all about me and mine in prayer? How much time am I interceding for others? When we really take the time to hear ourselves pray, our understanding is broadened and the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray more God-centered rather than us-centered. If we ask with the wrong motives, our prayers won’t be answered. (James 4:3)

     

“What do you want?”

            After John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God, two of his disciples immediately started to follow Jesus. He turned around and asked, “What do you want?” He gave these men the whole day to spend with Him.

Sometimes you may just want Jesus. In the darkest hours of despair there is no comfort from anyone or anything but Jesus. There are no words to describe the beauty of His presence to fill your heart with peace in the midst of confusion and pain. He’s Emmanuel—God with us all the time. Start with a small increment of time set aside for Jesus. Make it sacred by committing to the same time and place every day.

“What do you want?”

That is what God is asking you right now. Why not just be honest and talk to Him for awhile? You won’t ever regret hearing that question.

Bible references: Matt. 20:20-28, 29-34; Mark 10:35-44; Luke 18:35-43; John 1:35-39.