[Season 1] Episode 1: Wanting

 

It seems contrary for the Christian to have wants or desires when we read verses like Luke 9:23 - that we are to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily to follow Jesus. Is there even a place in the Christian life for our wants? Does God care about what we want? Can we trust God with our wants? Listen as guests Amy Lee and Bronwyn Lea help us unpack these questions as we learn how God teaches us to want rightly.

Guests

Amy Lee is a San Francisco native, speech therapist, and new mom. Her Instagram account, @rootedingreenlove has over 19K followers. On Amy’s blog, she writes, “for as long as I can remember, I’ve been a dreamer, but not always for the right reasons.” You can follow Amy on Instagram @rootedingreenlove and on her blog. 

Bronwyn Lea is another Lea but spelled “LEA” from South Africa who now calls Northern California home. She is an author, speaker, and mom of 3. Find out more about her new book, “Beyond Awkward Side Hugs here.  Follow Bronwyn on Instagram @bronwn_lea and on her blog.

Introduction

  • [00:41] I think as adults, and particularly as Christians, we’ve become really good at talking ourselves out of our wants. 

  • [01:55] So, is there even a place in the Christian life for our wants? Does God care about what we want? Can we trust God with our wants? 

Interview: Amy Lee

  • [02:10] I actually feel embarrassed to say...that I feel like I don’t have a problem wanting things.

  • [05:45] As a Christian with wants, it is easy to feel guilty when the wants aren't directly related to God's kingdom in some ways….the building up of God’s kingdom.

Interview Bronwyn Lea

  • [09:24] There are some very good God-given wants that fuel us and fuel humanity and give us vision and give us passion.

  • [15:50] The work of discipleship I think has to do with us being really honest about everything that we bring to God open handed.

  • [20:03] There’s a longer term want that’s curated by our discipline.

Scripture

Application

  1. Become aware of our wants and not just dismiss them.

  2. Develop the habit of prayer, knowing that our habits transform us.

  3. Commit to being in Christian community for mutual encouragement and the reminder that we all need Jesus.

  4. Read God’s Word for stories of how other biblical characters dealt with want and desire.

Other Resources

“Teach Us to Want” by Jen Pollock-Michel


Show co-produced and edited by Charlene Chow

 
Sherise Lee