The Danger of Chasing Wants

Chasing wants can manifest itself in all areas of life and here is an actual account of an instance that you may not have seen coming.

Over the last year there was a need for someone to step in and lead the children’s teaching at the church where we serve. The previous pastor, who was bi-vocational, was let go and one of the main reasons for his termination was that a full-time leader was a want that surfaced and thus caused many quarrels.

Understanding the situation was a bit contentious at best. I decided to lean into the gift of teaching that the Lord put in my life. I volunteered to take over the teaching and we were off to the races. During this time, there was an agreement that I would fulfill the teaching while a replacement was sourced. Little did I know that conducting the teaching each week was something that God would bless me with greatly. I fell in love with the children, the weekly teaching and the ministry continued to flourish. As a result of those things, and thanks to the great foundation from the previous pastor, a new fire for the Lord was beginning to flame up with the children.

A candidate surfaced roughly one year later and a flood of emotions surfaced as I dealt with the reality that this season of life may be coming to an end. I decided to put my name in the hat for the leader, understanding that I could only fulfill the role in a part-time manner. The mistake I made was assuming that the decision makers would be listening to God and recognize the needs of the program were being fulfilled in a mighty way all along.

During the formal interview, it became abundantly clear that what they wanted would far outweigh anything that God was currently providing. The needs were being filled, yet their wants were driving their decisions. No matter how much data was shared or meaningful insights provided regarding the blossoming success of the program, they were blinded by the appearance of their desires. This was a sobering moment as it was one of the clearest times in my life where man's greed surpassing God’s provision came to fruition. The want was overpowering the amazing way that God was providing blessings week in and week out.

I share that story as a reminder that chasing wants often leads us off of what God desires for our lives. While this story happens within the church walls, there are many more areas of life that this manifests. Pursuing wants over needs has dangerous implications. Perhaps that is why James cautioned the readers regarding this to great lengths. Our motives, when not pure, have a way of manifesting itself as wants with deep ties to one of the three tools from the evil one. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life are the ways Satan can trip us up along our journey.

While pride was the primary driver in this story, it is important to know what creeps to the surface the most with you personally. If you find yourself craving what others have, it may be lust of the eyes growing stronger. Either way, the first step of defense appears to be slowing down and asking God for wisdom and discernment. Ask Him if the things you are bringing to Him are unmitigated wants or unquestionable needs. He will provide the answer, the question is will you listen?

Questions to Consider:

1. Can you identify a time when pursuing a want caused more harm than good?
2. How do you respond when God's provision differs from your expectations?