One day, my husband took the kids to get ice cream, and at this ice cream parlor, they also had macarons. At this time, my children had never had macarons and had been wanting to try one since seeing them made on a baking show. One of my children insisted on having one but my husband explained to him that he should try macarons at a place known for making them. He knew this ice cream parlor wasn’t an establishment known for their macarons and they most likely wouldn’t be good there. He didn’t want to mess up their first experience of having a macaron. Well, despite my husband's explanation, one child still insisted he should have a macaron and stated he would eat it because he knew it would be good. After my son took one bite, he then spat it out and said he should have listened because it was horrible (LOL)! As adults, we find ourselves, in many instances, like my son...insisting that we have something that God doesn’t desire for us. We then later realize; what we desired didn’t give us the satisfaction we thought we would receive because it wasn’t what God wanted for us all along.
Sometimes, as believers, we try to use God’s Word like a “genie in a bottle” to gain all that we want in life. I can recall in times past using this scripture to try and make manifest everything I wanted to happen in my life: Psalm 37:4 AMPC Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
Now, there is nothing wrong with using scripture to remind you of what God wants to do in your life and conform your mind to God’s promises. However, I was using scripture to stand on what “I” wanted God to do and never asked if that is what He also wanted for me.
The word delight in Psalm 37:4 means to take pleasure, satisfaction, and joy in God’s Word. There is a pleasure so much in God’s Word that you decide to bend your life towards it. It is when your desires are bent towards God’s desires, that He then gives you the desires of your heart. When you want what God wants, He can give you the desires of your heart. Your time in God’s presence shapes your internal being for His will for your life. You begin to have a consciousness infused with His morality and yearning.
How can you not have a successful journey and be pleased in life when you go after what God wants for you! He already settled your end at the beginning of time... For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. - Jeremiah 29:11 AMPC
Prayer for the journey
Thank you, God, for allowing me to be in your presence. Jesus has made me right and by His blood, I have free access to your throne. I believe it is in your presence that my heart is shaped for what you want for my life. Lord, I surrender my will to your will. I believe you know what’s best for me. In Jesus name, Amen!