Jesus’ first words in the Gospel of John is a surprisingly simple but profound question: “What do you want?” (John 1:38)

Jesus does not ask because He needs the answer. He asks because we do.

There is power in honestly naming what we want. The problem is that our first answer is rarely our deepest answer.

Maybe you want a new job. Why? Because you want to make more money. Why? Because you want to feel financially secure. Why? Because you are afraid you will not have enough.

Suddenly, the question is no longer simply about your job. Something deeper has just surfaced.

One practice I have found helpful is called The Five Whys (Check out this worksheet). Start by naming something you really want, then ask yourself why you want it. Take your answer and ask why again. Keep going.

Eventually, you will discover that underneath your desire is a deeper longing for security, success, recognition, peace, control, comfort, adventure, or purpose.

The goal as you work your way through your motivations is not to judge these desires or pretend they do not exist. It is to uncover what is really happening beneath the surface and bring it honestly before God.

Because sometimes we spend enormous amounts of energy asking God to give us what we want without ever stopping to ask why we want it.

That is why Jesus’ question invites us deeper.

What do you want?

Name it.

Then keep asking why until you begin to discover what your heart is really seeking.

The deepest question may not be whether God will give you what you want, but what God wants to do within you through that desire.

---

“Want to go deeper? Step 3 of Standing at the Crossroads walks you through the Five Whys exercise and helps you uncover what is really driving the decisions in front of you.”