A few days ago I was listening to “More to Me” by Steffany Gretzinger. Gretzinger’s “More to Me” romances God with marital imagery as she, with great affection, sings God means “more to [her]”. I’ve listened to this song more than I can count, but this time, the lyrics became palpable and intelligible – more than they had in the past. 

“Let me set a table
For the One that I love
This is my desire
All I have is ready
To fulfill Your longing
What do You desire?” 

First, it reminds me how easy it is to pray for God to fulfill my desires, my longings, my, my, my, my… Rarely do I ask God what does he desire? Rarely, do I ask him, “what are your longings, God?’

Second, the lyrics reminded me that GOD HAS DESIRES! 

Have you had a burning desire before? For a career, a hobby, or a marriage? What did it feel like to desire that thing? Intoxicating? Exhilarating? Passionate? Vexing? Frustrating? Eager? Whatever word comes to mind, do you remember how strong the desire was? Did it cause tension in your eyes? Maybe, clarity in your mind? Did it keep you up at night imagining and daydreaming about what life might look like with the desire fulfilled? 

Now, intensify that x10000000000!

Maybe, that’s the way God feels. 

If God’s burning desire is to dwell eternally with His bride (us!) how much more is He exhilarated, frustrated, passionate, anticipating for His desire to be fulfilled? His desire to eternally live with His people. 

Have you considered how might you be a part of fulfilling His desire? 

“Let me set a table
For the One that I love
This is my desire…”

The privilege of setting a table for Him reminds me of how Abraham quickly prepared a meal for God when God visited Abraham (Gen. 18), or how Mary saturated Jesus’ feet with her last bit of perfume and used her own hair to wipe it – HER HAIR! As if Mary, is expressing to Jesus, the son of God, 

“All I have is ready
To fulfill Your longing
What do You desire?”

God should mean more to us. 

And you know what’s more interesting in Genesis 18, God brings his desire to Abraham: 

“When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.  For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”

Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”

It’s not the most romantic verse, but God chooses to share His plans and desires with Abraham. He’s entrusting that to Abraham!

That’s so beautiful…

We should bring our desires to God, but I hope I would take more time getting to know God’s desires than my own. So, that I, like Abraham and Mary, may take part in fulfilling them, and His desires will become mine. 

He is the bridegroom, and we are His bride. What do you desire, Lord?