Have you ever found yourself gazing at the sky, or perhaps just pondering quietly, asking: "What does God truly want from me?" It's a question that echoes through the ages, whispered in moments of doubt, shouted in frustration, and pondered in times of peace. It's a fundamental query that sits at the heart of our faith and existence.
Many of us carry misconceptions, seeing God as a cosmic rule-maker whose desires are primarily about restriction, or a distant deity who needs our constant offerings to be appeased. But what if God's desires for us are far more profound, loving, and liberating than we've ever imagined? Let's unpack this vital question together.
He Needs Nothing, But Desires Relationship
One of the most foundational truths about God is His absolute self-sufficiency. This theological concept is known as Divine Aseity. It means God depends on nothing and no one for His existence, power, or glory. The Bible clearly states in Acts 17:25 (NIV), "Nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
Think of it this way: God isn't looking for you to fill a void in His being. He doesn't need your worship to feel complete, or your obedience to gain power. He is the shining, complete universe, needing nothing.
So, if He needs nothing, why does He give us commandments, guidelines, and instructions? Because He cares about us. Imagine buying a brand-new, cutting-edge smartphone. Along with it comes a user manual – "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth" (B.I.B.L.E.). The manufacturer doesn't provide these instructions because they need something from the phone; they do it so the phone works properly, doesn't break, and performs at its best for you.
God's commandments are not burdens, but blueprints for a flourishing life. They are given for our benefit, guiding us toward true happiness, peace, and purpose. The prophet Micah beautifully summarizes God's core desire: "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8 (NIV)).
This isn't about rigid rules, but a radical call to embody His character in our world and in our lives. It's about living a life that reflects His heart for justice, mercy, and humility.
Our Desires and the "Miss" of Sin
God created us with deep desires and dreams – for happiness, love, meaning, connection, and satisfaction. There's nothing inherently wrong with these longings; He placed them within us! The crucial question then becomes: How do we seek to satisfy these desires?
In the Biblical understanding, sin is not necessarily an evil intention, but rather a "miss" (the Greek word hamartia literally means "missing the mark"). We strive for something good – the satisfaction of our God-given desires – but we often choose a crooked path, a distorted way, believing it will lead us to our goal. Instead, we miss the true target, failing to achieve genuine, lasting satisfaction.
Imagine an archer aiming for a bullseye, but their arrow flies wide. The arrow's intention wasn't malicious, but the aim was off. Similarly, sin disconnects us from our intended design and relationship with God, leaving us unfulfilled and astray from the true source of our desires' satisfaction.
A Choice Born of Love, Not Force
From the very beginning, God has presented us with a profound choice. Out of His immense love, He offers blessings and curses, life and death, constantly urging us to "choose life, so that you and your descendants may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV), also see 30:15). He never forces His will upon us.
Unfortunately, sin distorts our perception of God. We might see Him as "all-forbidding," an austere figure who delights in saying "no" to our joy. This distortion echoes the serpent's deception in the Garden of Eden, where God's loving boundary (Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV)) was twisted into a malicious restriction (Genesis 3:1 (NIV)).
But Jesus came to shatter this false image. He declared, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10 (NIV)). God's1 desire is not to diminish your life but to expand it, to give you an "abundant life" filled with purpose, joy, and true satisfaction.
The Main Thing: Making God Your Center
If God is the ultimate Creator and Source of all life, then it stands to reason that only He can provide life's true meaning and fullness. We were created for Him, designed to operate in relationship with Him.
Think of our lives like a solar system. If the Sun is God, and the planets are our health, family, finances, career, and desires – when God is at the center, everything else falls into its proper orbit. When we try to put ourselves, money, or anything else in the center, our lives become chaotic and unbalanced.
The main thing is that the Main Thing always remains the Main Thing. When God is truly the center of your life, surrendered to as the "hub" around which all decisions revolve, you begin to experience purpose, alignment, and the deepest forms of meaning and fulfillment. He knows your worth, your value, and the unique plan He has for you. Finding your purpose in life begins with seeking Him and surrendering to His lead.
So, What Does God Really Want From Us?
Bringing it all together, God's desires for you are rooted in His unchanging character of love:
- He wants a relationship with you. Not because He needs it, but because He loves you and designed you for it.
- He wants you to know and experience His profound love. A love that transcends understanding and heals all brokenness.
- He wants you to choose life. To follow His instructions, not as burdensome rules, but as pathways to your own abundant good.
- He wants to be the center of your life. The "Main Thing" that provides meaning, purpose, and true satisfaction for all your desires.
- He wants to give you abundant life. A life of fullness, joy, and peace that the world cannot offer.
A Question for Reflection:
Are you choosing His way today? Is God truly the center of your solar system?
Embracing what God wants from us isn't about sacrificing joy; it's about discovering the deepest, most authentic joy imaginable. It's about living the life you were always meant to live.