September 5, 2018

One of the most fulfilling thoughts a human can enjoy is to be desired appropriately. Parents long to hear their children say, “I love you and I want to be with you.” The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy that he longed to see him (2 Timothy 1:4), and he wrote the same to the followers of Jesus in Rome (Romans 1:11). It must have been encouraging for these people to hear this from Paul.

Genesis 3:8 says that God was looking for Adam and Eve while walking in the Garden of Eden. He desired to be with them. The statement implies that this was a regular event. But that first pair of humans was hiding because they had broken trust with Him. Their desire to follow Satan’s counterfeit offer made them fearful to be in God’s presence.

The Story of the Bible is a consistent message that God desires a relationship with humans. He made us in His image and gave us a privileged position above the rest of creation. When the connection was broken by sin, He immediately promised a way that could bring us back to Him. His patience and sacrifice is amazing in working out His plan – even to giving Jesus’ life for our redemption.

When overwhelmed by the challenges of life, humans find hope and courage to continue when they know someone desires and values them. Years ago, when a pastor friend felt he had no faith to continue on, his wife believed in him and said she had enough faith for both of them. She desired to be with him no matter what came, and it carried him through that dark experience.

Humans need to be desired by someone, and God has that longing for us more than anyone does. He had to bring discipline on Adam and Eve, but not destruction. He gave them hope. And we know the rest of the Story because the Bible explains Savior Jesus and invites us to trust Him for eternal life. I am encouraged as I ponder what it means to be desired by God.

Pastor Bill Ehmann