What Do You Want MOST?
I received an email from a friend, asking me to answer a focal question: “If money were no object, what would you want most?” I haven’t been able to escape that question. Would you?
Houses, cars, boats, trips, vacations, and experiences are all good, enjoyable things, but I have noticed a tendency about all of us humans: we enjoy things far less than we think we will. I know because I hear the complaints about all the responsibility or the tedium of the travel or the costs of repairs as much as I hear about the joy of those things.
Career success was once lauded as treasure worth every possible effort. I have a career that I love, and I often thank God that He gave me the opportunity to do what I do every day. Like you, however, the arrival of the weekend brings relief and delight because we all call it “work” for a reason! Even the best, holiest of careers are still taxing on the mind and spirit.
Relationships are the foundational value of our lives, but if we expect those relationships to make us happy, we’re putting unrealistic pressure on a person (who is sinful, flawed, and limited regardless of how great their character or personality may be). We were designed to help each other, not fulfill each other.
So, what is it that you crave, desire most? What is the non-negotiable essential without which life cannot possibly be complete? After my musing and wrestling, in spite of my own selfishness and doubt, in spite of creature comforts that I enjoy, relationships that make my heart glad, NOTHING can satisfy my soul like the One who made me, understands me, gave Himself for me, and has SECURED me through His grace. I can get distracted from that, but at the end of the day, my only REAL HOPE is Christ, himself.
The Psalmist said it this way: God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
God said it this way to Abraham: I AM your very great reward.
That’s why the Psalmist ended the 73rd with this phrase: But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
