In his book “When I Don’t Desire God”, John Piper discusses the difference between delight and desire. He explains that we often think desire is a longing for something in the future and that delight is an enjoyment of it now, in the present. But he argues it’s not so simple—part of the delight in a thing is the desire for it.
“All the desires leading to it and following after it are one big pleasure…Desire is awakened by tastes of pleasure.” (p. 26)
When we look at life’s circumstances, we desire and delight in so many things: marriage, family, a good dinner tonight. Yet all of these longings and desires mirror our spiritual state. Jesus really is the only One who can satisfy. I taste His goodness in my relationship with Him, but there will always be a longing for more. This longing and desire for more of Jesus is delight—both His and mine.
For example…I am anticipating the adoption of our two little girls. The joy in them doesn’t begin the day we receive them. My longing and desire for them now represent my delight, my joy that I will be the mother of these two precious souls. The desire comes from years of tasting the joy and delight of being with other people’s children. It also comes from the joy of seeing God reproduce Himself through us into the lives of others. Oh how I long for His glory to be reproduced through us to our very own children. So as I dream and anticipate and long for them, I can rejoice and enjoy the longing. This is how I can enjoy the waiting.
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