We’re encouraged to delight in the Lord and he’ll give us the desires of our hearts (Ps 37:4).  Believing in him we rejoice with joy.  Inexpressible and full of glory we’ll obtain as the outcome of our faith the salvation of our souls (1 Pet 1:8-9).  The Lord has put gladness in our hearts more than when grain and new wine abound (Ps 4:7).  “For the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps 84:11).

A Chinese teacher and philosopher Confucius (551BC–479 BC) wrote, “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential…these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”  Confucius was referring to the qualities it takes in the world.  He however forgot to mention the necessity of having godly gifts to accomplish these tasks.  True excellence can only be accomplished by loving God.

Ways for Accomplishments

Some people look at other ways through which they can have accomplishments.  Napoleon Hill (1883–1970), an author advised, “The starting point of all achievement is desire.”  Accomplishment starts in our minds.  We must desire and endeavor to obtain it.  Once we come to know our Lord by service, and prayer we’re sure to find him.  The Holy Spirit guides us in making our lives successful.

Plato (428/427/ 424/423 BC–348/347 BC), a Greek philosopher agreed with Hill when he wrote, “Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.”  This is why it takes special knowledge to be inspired by the Word of the God.  Christians are prompted in their understanding by the workings of the Holy Spirit.

An Italian-born world champion racing driver Mario Andretti (b. 1940) said, “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s the determination and commitment to unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”  The objective of desire is invoked as the motivation for success.  Christians should know the desire for: What? Who? When? Why?  This desire has to focus on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Eye of Desire

With the right knowledge we could end up saying like Will Durant (1885–1981), a writer, historian and philosopher: “Knowledge is the eye of desire and can become the pilot of the soul.”  A godly desire is a gift for our souls.  That’s why we have to pursue the right path to be assured of salvation.

But such a desire has to be strong and unrelenting.  That’s why we have to persevere.  A businessman and self-help author Robert Kiyosaki (b. 1947) wrote, “The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.”  It’s important to have a strong desire and knowledge, but you ought to ask these questions: “How strong are they?  Do they take center stage in sharing of God’s gifts?  If they do, we’re sure to be blessed abundantly.

Special Gift

Everyone has at least one special gift.  A 13^th century Persian poet and Islamic scholar Rumi (1207–1273) explained, “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.”  Some of us may never discover the purpose for which we’re made nevertheless, but this gift is still a part of us.  Our gifts build up the body of Christ.  It’s always good for us to make such a discovery for the benefit of our brothers and sisters.