Your True Love’s Desire

Have you ever seen children play follow the leader? One person is the leader and everyone following behind the leader must go where she goes and mimic her actions? Well, today we are considering being women of wisdom, because we know that we have a whole generation of children- our own children or our spiritual children- who are looking to us to lead. We are their examples, for good or bad. And they are following.

My father in law preached yesterday about contenting for the faith, and he reminded us that our children will most likely pick up every bad habit or sin that we have, and only a few of the good traits. It is humbling to know that my children are watching me 24/7. That type of motivation keeps me on my toes!

So, let’s start at the beginning: with our hearts. What we love will determine our direction in life , as well as our actions and speech.

And scripture tells us where our love should be. It gives us a map for our hearts.

The very first thing, we are told, is to love the Lord more than anyone or anything else.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Mark 12:30

It is easy to say that we love God, but the Bible tells us that the test of whether we love the Lord is whether we keep his commandments.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15

I could stop right here with our discussion, because truth be known, whenever I sin, I am loving something more than I loved the Lord. I decided that there was something that I would rather have or serve at that very moment- something that I believed would truly make me happy and content other than what God required. If I loved the Lord, I would do what He commands. I would love Him above all else. I would love my enemy instead of insulting back. I would put others first, instead of looking out for myself. I would love my neighbors with the same care as I do myself. The list of examples could go on and on.

Our heart/desires determine the direction our life will take. Our desires drive us to seek the things we value and treasure.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:34

Perhaps you have left your “first love.” Maybe you are busy serving the Lord and have forgotten about Him. I have these notes in my Bible next to Rev.2: 1-7 from a study I did a few years ago. This is where the Lord lays out his complaint against the church of Ephesus and tells them they have left Him,their first love:

What can remain when first love has faltered?

• Devoted Activity- toil to exhaustion
• Disciplined Morality- cannot bear those who are evil
• Doctrinal Purity- you have tested those who call themselves apostles
• Discerning Ministry- found them to be false apostles.

“I will tell you what rule I observed…when I was young, and too much addicted to childish diversions, which was this-Never to spend more time in mere recreation in one day than I spend in private religious devotions.”