A Divine Spark: God's desires in our hearts

A divine spark

Have you ever felt a deep longing to do something good, to serve others, or to draw closer to God? As believers, we often sense these stirrings in our hearts?

The Bible teaches us that the flesh, our old nature, is at enmity with the Spirit, the new nature God gives us when we welcome Jesus into our lives and surrender our lives to Him. I believe that God Himself plants these desires within us, guiding us toward His purpose and glory. Often, we overanalyse where we are called to serve and what we are supposed to do. If it's something that pleases God, there is a good chance that He put that desire within us.

The Bible offers beautiful insights into how God shapes our hearts to align with His will, sparking desires that reflect His love and plan.

God Works in Us

Scripture tells us that God is actively involved in shaping our desires.

In Philippians 2:13, we read, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (ESV).

God not only empowers us to act but also instils the very desire to pursue what pleases Him. When we feel a pull to pray, serve, or seek holiness, it’s a sign of God’s Spirit moving within us, aligning our hearts with His.

A New Heart from God

The prophet Ezekiel speaks of God’s transformative power: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV).

This promise shows that God doesn’t just tweak our existing desires—He gives us a new heart, one that beats in rhythm with His purposes. That longing to please Him? It’s a gift, a divine replacement for our old, self-centred inclinations.

Delighting in God’s Will

Psalm 37:4 offers a beloved promise: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (ESV).

At first glance, this might seem like God grants our personal wishes, but there’s a deeper truth here. When we delight in God, our desires begin to mirror His. The more we seek Him, the more our hearts crave what He loves—justice, mercy, and holiness. God plants these desires as we grow closer to Him.

Jesus’ Example: Seeking the Father’s Will

Jesus Himself modelled a heart aligned with God’s desires.

In John 6:38, He says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (ESV).

Jesus’ life shows us what it looks like when a heart is fully surrendered to God’s purposes. When we desire to please God, it’s a reflection of Christ’s own heart, cultivated in us by the Holy Spirit.

Trusting the Source

So, the next time you feel a tug to pray, serve, or love others, pause and thank God. That desire isn’t random—it’s a divine spark, a sign that God is at work in you.

As Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us, the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—flows from God’s presence in us. Trust that He is guiding your heart, planting desires that lead you closer to His perfect will.

Let’s pray that we remain open to God’s work in our hearts, embracing the desires He gives us and following where they lead—for His glory and our joy.