Disclaimer: This may come across as a post for only single ladies, but it’s not! Just written from the perspective of a single lady ;) Also, grab some coffee, because I always love a good excuse to drink a cup.
Psalm 37:4
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – NIV
“Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” - NASB
“Get insurance with God and do a good deed, settle down and stick to your last.
Keep company with God, get in on the best.” – The Message
Keep company with God, get in on the best.” – The Message
I specifically remember being introduced to this verse.
It was in high school after a leadership retreat my youth group had. We had a weekend full of community building, scripture learning, in the midst of Smith Mountain Lake’s beauty—along with a handful of older, attractive college-aged guys.
Needless to say my teenage heart throbbed in that environment. I developed a minor crush, and began mindlessly indulging on “what-ifs”.
Of course, what better person to talk this out with than with my youth pastor. She, like always, assured me of God’s plan and faithfulness. But, during this particular conversation she reminded me of Psalm 37:4. Let’s break this down as to how high school Katy translated this: If I was delighting, enjoying, seeking after the presence of God, He would give me the desires of my heart (which at the time was a very attractive, college guy).
Fast forward about five years (wow, that was a long time ago).
I’m listening to this fantastic sermon by Anne Lincoln from Matt Chandler’s church. (It was a segment from their singles weekend) Around midway through this chat, full of beautiful truths on singleness, Anne brings up Psalm 37:4. Immediately my brain goes into (in a rather sophisticated voice) “Oh yes, Psalm chapter 37 verse 4. I do love this verse.” She then, though, rocks my world.
Think about the desires of your heart.
Write them down (yes, right now)
A few of mine:
· To fall in love and get married
· Take photos of people and capture their stories
· Lose about 40 pounds
Now look at what you wrote down, and let’s dissect them.
To fall in love and get married: this is my heart’s longing to be with a guy, but it’s more deeply my heart’s longing to feel loved and worthiness of pursuit.
Take photos of people and capture their stories: what I believe God has designed me for, my passion for photography and people. It’s also my heart’s longing to feel accomplished in doing something for the Kingdom and for loving on people.
Lose 40 pounds: this is me wanting to be happy in my own skin. To not be ashamed of what my jean size is or what the numbers on the scale say. It’s also my heart’s longing to feel beautiful, healthy, and “fearfully and wonderfully made”
Slowly I began to realize what Anne was getting at here.
If I’m delighting myself in the Lord, then all those things my heart desires, they are present!
*insert explosion of heart, probably fireworks too*
What an astronomical change of perception! It totally reversed my selfish mindset of getting what I want to soaking in Jesus and being satisfied with that!
Now, I don’t want to downplay God’s beautiful desire to please us, and give us the wonderful blessings of this life. But don’t be like me and get caught up in the “what do I need to do for God to give me what I want”.
Mediate on how you’re delighting yourself in God this week, and are you satisfied in that?
Have a beautiful day, ladies!
Love,
Katy
Ps. Here’s the link to Anne’s sermon: http://www.thevillagechurch.net/sermon/walking-as-beloved-daughters-of-god/
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