I Wish...

Have you ever wondered what you'd wish for if you found a genie in a bottle? Do you see a shooting star or blow out the candles on a cake and dream of that thing you desire? For some of us it might be fame, fortune, love, marriage. Maybe it would be a new job, a nice house, or a sports car? Maybe you are one of those clever people who would just wish for more wishes? Have you ever wanted something SO badly that you could taste it, feel it, and ache for it? Maybe you prayed and prayed and prayed, wishing so hard that it would happen? Today I was reminded by a friend about that sort of desire--it's been a while since I felt that way but I know those feeling oh so well. A few years ago, I wanted a romantic relationship in the worst way! All I thought about was this person. It seemed like his name was always popping up where I least expected it to, and with it came floods of emotions and hopes about a future life with him. I dreamt about him, I spent loads of time with him, I prayed for him--I was living life, it seemed, just to be in his world.

And then it ended.

And because my world was wrapped up in his, my life seemed to end. Many of my teenage readers may have also read the Twilight series--well ladies, I LIVED Bella's nightmare in book two! I was lifeless; moving on and doing what I needed to do with very little feeling or desire. It was as if my life was over.

Two years later, and after a lot of soul searching and praying (after a period of being angry with, and not talking to God) I realized that I was being ridiculous! I had wanted and wished for something SO much that I had put that relationship and that man above God and above my own well-being. My wishing & my intense desire actually had the opposite affect that I had intended. I made an idol out of my desire; a desire that was God-inspired in the first place, yet I let it take on a life of its own.

The Bible says that our desires come from God and that when we seek Him, He will give us the those desires. But many times we forget about the "seek Him" part and just expect everything we want to be laid out on a silver platter in front of us. It doesn't work that way.

If you have an intense desire for something in your life--a WISH--ask your "genie" in heaven. God gave you that desire in the first place, but he doesn't want it to become an idol in your life. He wants it to bring you CLOSER to him. My friend reminded me of this today & the lesson I had learned a few years ago. You can "wish upon a star," pray for a "genie in a bottle," OR you can turn over your desire to the God who made you and your wishes. I'm putting my trust in the latter, how about you?