One of my favorite jokes concerns three men stranded on a desert island. They were a cattleman from Texas, a businessman from Illinois, and a taxi driver from New York. After some days, as they explored the area they discovered a magic lantern, complete with a genie, who offered to grant each of them one wish. The cattleman said he would just like to go home to his cattle ranch. Poof! He was gone. Likewise, the taxi driver said he just wished he was back driving his taxi in New York. Poof! He was gone. Finally, when the businessman took his turn to make a wish, he said, “It sure is lonely here without the other two guys. I wish they were back.” Poof! Poof!
The story always makes me laugh, but it also illustrates how little thought we generally give to how the fulfillment of our desires may affect the people around us.
Our own shortsightedness may explain some of our unanswered prayers, or rather what we view as unanswered. (God answers prayer. He often doesn’t answer in the way we expect, and “No,” is an answer.) We ask for something, but don’t see or even consider, how others would be affected if God gave us what we wanted. God, who sees far beyond the moment, responds as a loving parent, and gives what is necessary for our good. He is not a genie who grants our every wish. He is far more interested in our character than our comfort. He cares about our eternal future much more than our material present. He is infinitely wise and always provides what is ultimately for the best–and not just for us, but for the world.
Bible promises may sometimes leave us confused. Jesus said, “. . . ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV) The problem is, when Jesus said that to His disciples, that is not all He said. The rest of that verse reads, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” Elsewhere the Bible tells us, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the request that we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:14,15 ESV) “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 ESV)
The counsel is clear. God has promised that when our will aligns with His, He hears and answers our prayers. When our hearts are right, we will have the right desires, and He will lovingly grant us good things.
The secret to getting what we want, is to want the right things. When we draw close to Him, let Him transform us and show us His purposes we find fulfilment, peace and contentment. We learn to trust Him when things don’t go the way we think we want them to go. We believe Him when He says He is working all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. His purpose is to make us more like Jesus, who came into the world selflessly. We would do well to think about the things He would wish for.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8,9
Blessings,
Phyllis
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.
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Copyright 2022 Phyllis L. Farringer
Poof, I get it! The wisdom of God and the danger of “pull quotes” from Scripture. Thank you.
Thank you
I love the reminder that often we give little thought to how the fulfillment of our desires may affect the people around us. We can see how they sometimes take a toll on families, coworkers, or friends when we wish for the wrong things. As I start the new year, I want to strive to align my desires with God’s as best I can to glorify Him and benefit those around me. Thank you for this timely reminder!
Thank you, Sherri