Learning How to Want — With God Involved

I’m not just trying to want the right things.

I’m learning how to want well—with God involved.

That idea’s been on my mind a lot lately.

This morning, I was out on a walk with my son Adam—who’s only been home from some missionary service for a couple of weeks—and we found ourselves talking about what’s next for him.

What he wants to do.
What he feels like he should do.
And what God might want him to do.

It’s a familiar tension—for him… and honestly, for me too.

As we talked, a question landed differently than it ever has before. It sent me on a bit of a journaling and scripture study adventure:

What do you want?

Throughout scripture, God asks that question again and again. Not because He needs the answer—but because we do.

Consider just a few examples:

• To Solomon: “Ask what I shall give thee.” (1 Kings 3:5; 2 Chronicles 1:7)

• To John the Baptist’s disciples: “What seek ye?” (John 1:38)

• To those sent to arrest Him: “Whom seek ye?” (John 18:4, 7)

• To Mary Magdalene: “Whom seekest thou?” (John 20:15)

• To the mother of Zebedee’s children: “What wilt thou?” (Matthew 20:21)

• To the blind men in Jericho: “What will ye that I should do unto you?” (Matthew 20:32; Mark 10:51; Luke 18:41)

What I’m realizing is this:

God isn’t threatened or offended by our desires.
He’s genuinely interested in them.

Desire isn’t something to hide from God—it’s something to bring to Him.

Now, I’ll admit: not every desire I have starts fully refined or fully aligned—and that’s okay.

Discipleship, for me, hasn’t been about suppressing ambition or outsourcing agency. God isn’t micromanaging every step—that’s not how He rolls. He’s shaping the kind of person who takes the steps.

So instead of abandoning my desires, I’m learning to invite God into them.

To act.
To pray.
To adjust.

To trust.

That’s one reason our In God We Trust BibleSocks design resonates so deeply with me. It’s not a declaration of certainty—it’s a posture. A reminder that trust isn’t passive. It’s practiced, daily, right in the middle of our questions and desires.

Over time, I’ve found that God doesn’t just teach me what to want.

He’s teaching me how to want.

Anyway—hope that makes sense. 😁

Weekly Walk Question:
How have you seen God shape not just your path—but your desires along the way?

If you have thoughts, insights, or gentle corrections, I’d honestly love to hear them.
Email me at derek@biblesocks.com - I’d love to chat.