8. My desires are more important than my disciplines.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

REFLECT ON THE IDEA THAT GOD MIGHT CARE MORE ABOUT YOUR DESIRES THAN YOUR BEHAVIORS. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS?

WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER MOMENTS OF SHAME, GUILT, OR REGRET, DOES IT TYPICALLY REFER TO SOME ACTION YOU DID OR SOME DESIRE YOU HAD?

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SEE THAT YOUR ACTIONS DID NOT CREATE THE OUTCOME THAT YOU DESIRED? HOW DO YOU THINK JESUS FEELS?

Our focus on spiritual disciplines can lead us to make our behaviors the most important thing about us. We may judge ourselves and others based only on our actions. But we know that God sees our hearts and values the desires of our hearts, even when those desires have yet to be fulfilled. We may desire to love our enemy but circumstances, like fear, may keep us from showing that love. In His grace, God understands our human weaknesses and chooses to see us for our desires and forgives our failures to live up to our desires.

So, if we were to err in our priorities, it would be better to elevate the quality and sincerity of our desires over the goodness of our behaviors. This is not to say that disciplines are unimportant; desire without action or discipline will bring about little change leading to frustration and despair. But discipline without desire only leads to legalism, bondage, guilt, or pride. Good desires, under the guidance of Spirit, will eventually produce the fruit of good behaviors.

God longs for us to be healed from the brokenness of our soul; this healing comes when we desire the goodness He desires for us. The healing of our brokenness requires an awareness of that brokenness and a desire for healing. Disciplines are important in this healing, but our spiritual health will never exceed the level of our desires.