IT IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST questions I remember. No one will be surprised to learn that it came from my mother. And, early on, as children have no knowledge of solutions, it’s usually asked by parents to whiners and criers. However, Mom asked it many times throughout my life. If anyone doubts that I actually answered when asked, you might be a mother.
Of course, that question is oft followed by the great caveat, “Be careful what you wish for (want); you might get it.” Most humans have at least shaken hands with the concept, though I have observed that far too many adults ignore the warning. And raise your hand if you’re one of those who received exactly what you wanted one time, only to discover later that it came with lots of “extra” things you never imagined . . . and now you have them all.
This one question can set in motion the greatest learning experiences of all time.
I’ll never forget the day an older minister asked me to lunch. I admired him. I had seen him mistreated, although “mistreated” doesn’t bring justice to what I witnessed. He was humiliated before his peers and soon thereafter ousted. I caught up with him the summer before my second year of seminary. He was sharper than ever. Before I left for school, I met him at a sidewalk cafe in Nashville. I intimated that I wasn’t sure which direction to take—and wanted his advice.
He listened. Gracious, gentle, and kind in his advice, he was. And then it came: “I feel like God may be asking you a question.” He’s asking, “Gary, what the heck do you want?” Surprised, I remember choking on my food. I couldn’t answer. He just smiled, “I will pray for you.”
In my typical fashion, I decided to think about it a bit. “A bit” turned into years. Then careers. And if you’ve guessed that the question kept coming back to me again and again . . . well, maybe you and I have had similar experiences. Sadly.
We all must answer one question repeatedly, but especially on the spiritual side of life, as it drives every other part of our lives. “What do you want?” are Jesus’ first words in the Gospel of John. Seeing Jesus, John the Baptist immediately says to two of his disciples, “Look, the lamb of God. John’s two disciples started following Jesus. When Jesus noticed them, he turned and asked them, “What do you want?” Even I feel the impact of that query!
I could tell you that I finally asked for wisdom. And that I was given some. I learned that what I really want is what God wants. And He’s been teaching me what that is ever since. It’s been a bit of a struggle most days. Who in their right mind would ask for a struggle? I do now. But that’s just me. I can tell you that out of the struggle comes amazing answers. One happened for me just this week. But you are not me. Each must decide. So. I will pray for you.
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