THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART
February 01, 2021
Prayer: Dearest Lord, our biggest dream is for all of our students and our co-workers to come to a saving faith in Jesus. We ask, right now, for salvation for each one. Thank You. Amen.
Scripture: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
February is Black History Month, and although we celebrate MLK Day in January, this devotional applies equally to Black History Month as well. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. It was a wonderful dream and one that was in line with God’s Word. As God looks on all of us with love but not favoring one person over another, King wanted our nation to become a place where people are not “judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” He desired that the chains of discrimination and segregation would be broken and that justice and liberty would be for all people.
Do you have a dream? I pray they are big, big, dreams! Is there something you wish you could change to make the world a better place? Is there somewhere you would like to serve, a place you would like to go, an event you would like to participate in, something new you would like to learn? What are you doing to make this happen? What steps are you taking to make this dream come true? Do you believe dreams are just that, dreams, not meant to be reality? Or worse, do you believe other people’s dreams can come true but not yours?
What was different about Reverend King’s dream? Did he dream bigger or better dreams? Why do we know and celebrate his dream? He told others about his dream, he shared it with as many people as would listen and then he spent his life in pursuit of it. He did not just sit around hoping it would come true some day; he spent every day working, sacrificing, sharing his heart, convincing others. He kept integrity in his pursuit, continually insisting that the road to justice NOT be paved with violence. He insisted that “In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.” He knew that dreams were to be received in righteousness and not conquered through corruption.
What are your students’ dreams? Do you hear them talk about what they want to do with their lives? Have you asked them, “If you could do or be anything, what would that be?” Give them some time to think about it if they need to, but many of them probably already have an answer. Their answers may sound crazy or far-fetched. To many people, Reverend King’s dream seemed impossible, and yet today the dream lives on as we have drawn closer to making it a reality. Reverend King died over forty years ago, but his dream still has made many significant steps towards reality and remains a priority in the hearts and minds of many Americans determined to bring it to a full reality.
Your students need to dream and you need to dream. The pursuit of your dreams is a great motivator. Dreams are goals; they give us something to reach for, to work towards, and to sacrifice for. Share your dreams with one another in your prayer group and encourage each other to put a plan into place to make it a reality. Unlike New Year’s resolutions, keep it in the forefront of your mind, pray, plan, and pursue it until it takes place.
My prayer for you is that you would have the desires and the dreams of your heart.
Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email [email protected]
Yes, I am encouraged. Thank you!