Can A Lack Of Desire For God Be Helpful?

In every relationship, there are those things that are never communicated satisfyingly enough.

Sometimes we fail to convey our respect to our parents, sometimes we fail to express our love to our spouse well enough. Sometimes, we blow it like a mad bomber blows up a bridge.

If you have loved someone, anyone, in whatever capacity you could, you might know what I am talking about. Right now I am trying to communicate two things in my relationship with Jesus Christ, the only God and my dear Saviour- His greatness and His patient love with me and- my dire need for Him.

How much more awesome is He, than I thought!

How can I enjoy Christ so less!

But I cannot communicate it well enough.

I got to know these things because of two reminders and a lesson I received recently.

1. “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them”. Acts 16:6,7

Paul Timothy and Silas are all eager to share the message of Jesus with people who’ve never heard of His love and neither of their need to repent of sins. But these verses show the only time in the Bible where missionaries were prevented by God the Holy Spirit himself from speaking the gospel.

Of course, this was because God wanted them to preach the gospel somewhere else at that time- in Macedonia. So this was no excuse for them to ‘chill’, watch movies and live the comfortable life. But what’s the connection between Holy Spirit preventing them and my lack of desire for God?

2. Last Friday, we at Marg Wanowrie were discussing a recent sermon we heard, based on Gal. 5:19-26. At one point, a brother asked –

While having church-models and words like “family of missionary slaves” is right, do each of us daily desire and yearn for Jesus our Saviour? What use is a “through the week” church model, if we have no desire for our God Himself?

Now let me answer the question I asked about Acts 16- what’s the connection between Holy Spirit preventing Paul’s band and my lack of desire for God?
In Acts 16:6-7, we see Christians who were keenly looking for their Father’s guidance in day-to-day events. They are actively seeking His will and so sensitive to God’s leading in a practical sense (they are also on mission, obeying Matt 28:18-20), that they were led to pause their plans, change directions and resume mission work.

They were sensitive to heed God the Holy Spirit and knew deeply the love of their King, who had sacrificed himself for their sake. Paul knew this keenly (Gal. 2:19-20), had experienced God’s very real leading in his church at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3).

And then cometh my self. In recent days, I erred by not heeding to God’s guidance in what to hear or say and lost self-control while addressing a dear brother. Was this because I desired God a lot? Not really.

I was not too keen to do what God wanted me to do with my words and actions. Why could I not stop myself and change my direction? Why was I so important and not He, who loved me and gave himself up for me, not important?

Combine this personal lack of desire for God with my scattered prayer-times, it makes me sad- very sad. Yet it makes me joyful. How?

Now I, a feeble creature, realise again that I need my great God.

I don’t need His gifts, His blessings, not even my friends, church community or family first.

I need Him and His glorious wishes to be accomplished in me. Like someone reminded me- all things that make me need God, are blessings.

So, I am blessed. Here I am needy, and I know God our Father will fulfill any valid need that makes me more like His Son.

“That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son.

The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.” Rom 8:28-29, The Message

Can a lack of desire toward God, be helpful?

Only if my dire need leads me back to Him.

“Behold me here, in grief draw near, pleading at Thy throne oh King. To Thee each tear, each trembling fear,

Jesus, Son of Man, I bring…

Look down in love, and from above, with Thy Spirit satisfy. Thou hast sought me, Thou hast bought me,

And Thy purchase Lord am I.”

‘Let Me Find Thee’ – Indelible Grace

Have you tried observing your desire for Jesus this week? Is it burning bright, a joyful bonfire with Jesus?

Or is it a poor candle of a soul like mine?

You can share your experiences below.