What is it that you desire most? Most of us go around the world full of desires that we aren’t even aware of. What we desire is very relevant to our spiritual life.

Getting to the place that we desire to be one with God the way Jesus did is the goal of our Christian journey. This is no easy task. There are so many other worldly desires that get in the way.

How do you transform your desires? First, you need to recognize what it is that you really desire. I encourage you to make a list of your desires. You will be proud of some that you can list—you desire to see your children love and serve God, you desire to help your neighbor. There will be other desires that you must honestly admit. You desire to have a bigger house, you want a great vacation. Remember, you cannot desire God on your own. These worldly desires are normal and natural. Don’t be embarrassed by honestly admitting that you desire to impress your boss. What you need to do is boldly admit what is really in your heart, the good the bad, and the ugly.

God knows that you are but dust (Psalms 103:14). He doesn’t expect you to be able to desire Him in your own strength. But, when you let the desire to know God surface to the top of your desires, God is quick to respond to your need. God says that He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalms 37:4). Some of us only remember the second part of that verse. God will give you the desires of your heart. But the first part states, Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. You won’t be able to delight yourself in God unless you get rid of the desires that take the place of delight in Him.

The next step you need to take to rid yourself of your wicked desires. God tells us that our hearts are so deceitful we cannot even know how much (Jeremiah 17:9). This is where we need God’s help. If we are ever going to be free to desire Him and delight in Him, we need Him to help us stop desiring other things. God is happy to give this help if we ask.

The first step to desiring God is becoming aware of all the other desires that replace Him in your life. You will need His help to overcome these other desires. Why not take some time today to purge yourself from your desires, so you can make room in your heart to desire God. Take out a sheet of paper and simply list the desires, good and bad, that live inside your heart. Don’t judge them as right or wrong, just list them. Acknowledge they are there. Seal them up in an envelope and put them away until next week. When you open the letter next week, see if any of your desires have been transformed. God can help you transform your desires to be like Christ, if you let Him.