Desiring…Cookies!

I'm spending today, as I do most Wednesdays, working in my husband's office. The kids and I like the change of scenery that comes from spending Wednesdays at church. And I just like being with my husband. So, here I sit, rambling about working at church on Wednesdays.

Just a few feet away from me, perched on the edge of Doug's desk, I see a container full of cookies. Well, actually, it is a container full of one giant cookie cut into a bunch of pieces. That's even better, in my opinion. There's something about the texture of a giant cookie that is even better than individual cookies. The only thing better is cookie dough. (Wait, I'm not supposed to admit to that, am I?)

We just finished lunch a little over an hour ago, so I'm not really hungry. But, knowing what's in that container makes me think I'm hungry. We brought it for snack time. How about snack a little early? Sounds good to me!

Meanwhile, I just finished taking a personality test. One of the questions on the test asked about my ability to exercise control in the face of desires and temptations. As I stared at that container of cookies. As I drooled. As my stomach rumbled, trying to convince me that I needed a cookie now.

I have resisted. I will continue to do so until snack time. So, I suppose I am able to exercise control over my desires and temptations.

But, what if my desires were different?

Temptations will always be something over which I must exercise control. I must be able to walk away from temptation. But what if my desires were appropriately placed at all times? What if I always desired the right things? The things of God?

The more I think about that, the more I want it. If I desired things of God at all times, there would be so much less room for pesky little desires like cookies. Of course, that does not mean I would no longer be able to enjoy cookies! I'm convinced the wisdom to mix flour, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla, salt, baking soda, nuts, and chocolate came straight from the Lord into the mind of the inventor of cookies. He means for us to enjoy the good of His creation, and that includes the fine concoction that is the chocolate chip cookie!

But, that is not what He wants me to desire. He wants me to only desire Himself. He wants the rest to be little evidences of His daily interaction in my life.

I desire my Savior, but not as I should. Too many other desires – little things like chocolate chip cookies or big things like time with my husband – invade. They keep my focus on the temporal instead of the eternal. And I enjoy them less because I do not enjoy God most.

Yes, my desires need to be different. And as they change and grow, I will find it less necessary to exercise control over them. That's where I hunger to be – in complete abandonment to my desire for Christ!