The Real Prize

“Trust in God and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Delight in God, and God will give you your heart’s desires.”

From Psalm 37:3-4

Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:

• This passage from Psalms is sometimes titled, “Delight Yourself in the Lord.” It invites you to focus on God, so you can live as you truly desire.
• The Psalms are beloved and timeless because they express a range of human emotions, from sorrows to celebrations, and everything in between. Especially they invite you to realize a richer relationship with God and yourself.
• For the Psalmist, being in divine relationship with God, Infinitely Compassionate, Unconditionally Loving, everywhere, all the time, is the real prize. This is their greatest heart’s desire, because they know that God is their source and sustenance in all ways. Everything they’ll ever need flows from this spiritually mature awareness.
• Trusting in God is knowing that everything in the Universe is working for your ultimate best.
• Desires can be distinguished between things (cars, clothes, money) and experiences (time with loved ones, vibrant health, a bucket-list vacay). This helps you discern what’s best for you, so you avoid feeling envious or jealous of what someone else has or does.
• Unregulated desires—rarely being satisfied with what you have and constantly wanting more—can rule your life and diminish your faith in yourself and your inner wisdom.
• Spiritual maturity is knowing that your “stuff” is never going to be the ultimate prize. When you understand the expression, “The one who dies with the most toys still dies,” you can discern how you truly want to live.
• Three (3) of the greatest Universal desires aren’t for possessions, but for personal well-being; loving connections; and peace of mind.
• Holistic healer and metaphysician H. Emilie Cady teaches in her classic 1903 text, Lessons in Truth, that God helps you discover your desires by pushing “gently on the divine spark living within” you. The desire you feel for something more than you already believe you are or need to have “is only God pushing at the inner door of your being,” as if to say: “‘My child, let Me in; I want to give you all good, that you may be more comfortable and happy’” (2003 edition, p.79).
• Furthermore, Cady teaches that “all desire in the heart of any good is really God’s desire in us and for us.” Therefore, you could not even imagine your desire, if that “good were not already yours in the invisible realm of supply” (2003 edition, p. 81).

Contemplation Questions:

As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:

• What is my relationship with God?
  • List, word map, or illustrate the way you define your relationship.

• In what ways do I trust God?
  • List, word map, or illustrate your sense of trust.

• In what ways has my desire for possessions hindered my life?
  • List, word map, or illustrate whatever has been a hindrance.

• In what ways has my desire to connect with others and live my purpose blessed my life?
  • List, word map, or illustrate whatever has been a blessing.

• What are my true heart’s desires at this point in my life?
  • No matter how small or lofty they seem, without analysis or judgment, list, word map, or illustrate all your heart’s desires.

• How is God gently pushing on the divine spark within me?
  • List, word map, or illustrate every gentle push you feel.

• What are at least three (3) ways I can change my life and fulfill my desires?
  • List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can imagine.
  • Then note the steps you’ll take to let your perfect process unfold.

Be gentle and honest with yourself as you work with this devotional.  Anytime you’re tempted to focus on what you can’t do or don’t have, turn within and notice what’s truly tugging at your heart strings.  Allow yourself to delight in how God’s goodness and grace is already being revealed in your life.  Then, listen to your intuition and take another faithful step forward, trusting that the desires of your heart are already at hand.

© 2022 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.

Photo by Janon Stock from Shutterstock.