What Does God Want?

It's s simple question, but when a friend posted this as his Facebook status, it got my attention for a good fifteen minutes straight.

"What does God want?"

It is really the basic, elemental question for a Christ-follower. It is the question that minimizes all other questions. It is the question that can orient my life and provide a True North point of reference.

"What does God want?"

I have a pretty good sense, most of the time, of the answer to the question "What do I want?".

But that's not the question.

What does God want?

From me, right now, in this moment?
From me, tonight, when my wife and kids or roommate are home?
From me, this weekend, as I encounter neighbors and the parents of the kids on my kids' sports teams?
From me, at work, as I face tough choices that sometimes are morally cloudy?
From me, as I make decisions about where to spend money, and where not to spend money?
From me, as I try to love this child?
From me, as I care for my aging parents?
From me, as I face pressure at school to do stuff I know I should not do?

It is a great question, but it is relativized by one answer.

What does God want?

He wants me to experience joy.

And my joy is found as I cooperate with him as he molds and shapes my character to be like that of Christ, as I run fast to the places and things and habits that spur this Christlikeness in me and as I avoid those things that cloud the Jesus-vision in my life.

He wants me to experience joy.

What does God want?

For sure, he wants me to DO certain things, and not to do others.

But even before that, he wants me to experience joy.