God’s Wish List
I was looking at a relative’s wish list for Christmas, and I thought of how different our desires become as we grow older and wiser. The older I get, the less material things mean to me. This year the best Christmas gift I could receive is to spend that day with my family. Most likely, this will not happen because of the pandemic. I’m going to miss the traditional Italian seafood spread at my sister-in-law’s house on Christmas Eve and going caroling with the extended family before dessert. Most of all, I’m going to miss the time we always spend together talking, laughing, and catching up on the latest family news.Yes, I will even miss my son’s corny jokes! It will be a quiet holiday this year.
In the quiet, God speaks. Was I listening? During a recent quiet time, I wondered about God’s wish list. I thought about what He would want this Christmas. I think a lot of people would say His ultimate wish is for peace on earth. But I think He has that covered in His long range plans. You see, I wasn’t really thinking on that scale…I was pondering about God’s wish list for ME. What does He wish for me?
At first, I considered that God may really wish I would stop sinning. Did I tell you sometimes I can be extremely selfish and grumpy? Yes, I can. Just ask my husband! Also, he will inform you about the number of times I don’t listen to him, and he has to repeat himself. Or you could inquire how often I murmur and complain. Hey, the list is long for all of us, right? Although our sin grieves God, it also reminds us that we live in a fallen world and will never be perfect until His kingdom comes. I’m reminded that Jesus paid the price for my sin on Calvary. In fact, His wish for me to be spotless is already accomplished when He looks at me through the righteousness of His Son! Sinning, through faith in Christ, was already crossed off of God’s wish list for me!
Finally, I simply asked Him. “God, what is your greatest desire for me?” Okay, so I didn’t hear Him audibly speak to me, but I can still tell you what He said. I was reading the Gospel of Matthew. I noticed his disciples were freaking out like it was the year 2020. They were truly concerned. Would they have enough food? Would they have clothes that they needed? I’m sure they were also worried about their finances and their health. Being a disciple of Jesus at the time did not bring in a paycheck, and they were still required to pay their taxes. Bottom line, would their needs be met? They had every reason to worry and be afraid. Jesus turned to them and said, “ …your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Jesus encouraged his disciples to stop thinking about their physical needs first and instead, think about His kingdom. He encouraged them to seek His righteousness and not their own. That’s because Jesus knew their deepest need was spiritual.
Jesus comforted them with this word when they were anxious, and He desires to comfort us today. He invited me closer with Matthew 6:33. First, He reminded me that my Heavenly Father knows our needs. God sees us! God hears us! Second, He told me to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. That’s His reign and His rule in my life and here on earth. Most of all, He wants this search to be my FIRST priority.
Although I believe the best Christmas gift I could receive this year on earth would be time with my family, God knows my deepest need is spiritual. Only He can fill the longing for family I will experience on Christmas Day. There is no one and nothing on this earth that can fill a void in our lives that was created only for God. He encourages my heart to do a u-turn this season and seek Him first. God promises that we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart. Let God rewrite your wish list this year and give you what you truly need. Will you seek His kingdom and His righteousness first ?
