What to Desire?

      As earthly humans we have desires.  We desire a successful job, happy family, nice car, house, friends...  The list could go on and on as to the things we do and will desire in this world.  Some people will say that having these earthly desires is sacrilegious, that the ONLY thing we should desire is God.  While it is hard for a Christian to say they disagree, the truth of the matter is there is nothing wrong with having desires to prosper and lead a happy life.  The key is to understand where your priorities are.  Yes, God should be and I prayerfully hope is our ultimate desire.  We should desire Him above all else, but that does not mean there is something wrong with wanting to have a house for your family, or a job that pays well.  This is a very tricky topic, as it is ok to have wants for these worldly possessions, but if we let it, it can become something that takes us from Jesus.  When we start to want that gadget more than we wish to be in the presence of the Lord, there is a problem.  If you ever feel there is something that you must have, something that is needed otherwise you will lose your joy, your purpose, you have lost the sight of God.  God is the only One who should demand such respect.  No earthly thing compares to the greatness of God.  Why pursue anything other than the Lord with such passion, when Life is in Jesus.

      We need to be careful in who we mimic in our lives as well.  And when I say mimic, this ranges from the people we look up to, all the way to the people we surround ourselves with.  The more we put ourselves in the presence of those who are not seeking to live in a Christ-like manner, the more we will grow to accept what they do.  We will develop calluses on our soul and heart.  Our conscience that once felt the wrongness in their actions, will begin to go away.  Just like the pain we feel in our feet or hands when they are freshly blistered, once we develop calluses, we are protected from this pain and hence no longer feel the hurt that comes from what we are doing.  This is what is meant by developing calluses on our heart and soul.  We will no longer feel the remorse for the sins we commit.
    And lastly, I want to urge you to seek Jesus.  The more we pursue Jesus and read His word, the more we will begin to walk, act, and think in a Christ-like manner.  Remember, we seek God above all other things, He is our number one desire!