Delight and Desire: Same same or different?

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.

Waiting stinks

Waiting is never easy and usually not very fun.  But life is full of it.  We are always waiting for something.  Sometimes the waiting is clearly defined.  You know exactly what you’re waiting for and exactly when that thing will come…waiting in line for instance, or in East Asia a mob.  Sometimes the end is not so definite…waiting for a husband or a job offer. 

I’m continually challenged with the idea to enjoy life as a journey, to enjoy the process.  It’s hard to do.  It’s not natural.  But I’m learning that it’s necessary to enjoy the waiting so that I’m not wishing away my life. 

Waiting for children to enter our family has been like this.  I’ve struggled to truly enjoy the waiting and all that God’s allowed me to experience and taught me along the way.  I love my job and I love my life, but I continually struggle with longing for the next stage. 

Welcome!

I've really enjoyed reading others' blogs recently, especially my friends who have adopted.  I love hearing about their lives, seeing their pictures and getting a glimpse of what God is doing in their hearts and through their families.  I've found myself laughing out loud, tearing up and just so thankful to be connected to them in this way.  So, I decided it would be fun to begin blogging myself.  I don't promise to be as creative or post as often as they do, but I do hope that as you read my blog, you'll find yourself smiling too.