Continuous desire

Jesus is Lord over all creation, which has been aching in turmoil since sin and death were mysteriously introduced. I do not know why or how that happened, but God’s interventions since that event, as recorded in Scripture, exceed what can be inferred from studying a world in decay. It is to the Scriptures, therefore, that we should turn if we are to study the true nature of reality and of our condition. To study this world without Scripture as our guide is to study death in its various forms and potencies, as we are always more aware of deficiencies than blessings. When we do look for the good in the world, it tends to be only in spite of the bad, such that the latter overshadows the former in our hearts and minds.

This pursuit of the nature of things without, or complementary to, Scripture, often has us framing human desires as autonomous systems running natural, programmed courses. The concept of what we call "natural" often assumes a necessary continuity, where there is none, biblically speaking. For instance, sexual desire is typically regarded as a constant, natural drive; yet, in Scripture, desire appears not as a continuous force but as something situational—a lust or longing directed at a specific object in a particular moment. Desire is deeply connected to the will and the heart’s orientation, either toward God or away from Him. Jesus underscores this in His teaching that to look at someone with lust is to commit adultery in the heart (Matthew 5:28). Biblical narratives reinforce this situational and specific view of desire. It is particular and relational, revealing the heart’s alignment—or misalignment—with God’s own desires and purposes.

Scripture teaches that, through faith by which we receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we can resist disordered desires as our hearts are redirected toward God. This is miraculous. The way that other miracles function in Scripture complements this understanding of desire, too. Miracles, far from being arbitrary or purely displays of power, often reveal God’s compassionate engagement with physical and spiritual human suffering, demonstrating God’s active involvement in restoring what sin has broken. Take, for example, the account of Peter’s shadow healing the sick in Acts 5. At first glance, it may seem like a magical spectacle—a fleeting shadow conveying divine power. Yet, in the broader context of Scripture, it fits seamlessly into the consistent patterns of God’s work: revealing His power in broken and flawed instruments, addressing suffering, and drawing people to Christ through their faith in Him.

The Lord’s work in reordering desire reflects His concern—God’s desire—for the human heart. Just as the people who sought Peter’s shadow believed in God’s ability to heal, faith enables believers to trust God’s work within their hearts, transforming disordered desires into righteous longing. The connection between miracles and desire therefore becomes clearer when viewed through the lens of divine restoration. Desire, when disordered, reflects the brokenness of humanity; miracles, in contrast, reveal God’s desire to heal and restore.

In conclusion, the biblical narratives of desire and miracles converge in their testimony to God’s desires. Man’s desire, far from being an autonomous force, is a reflection of our hearts’ orientation toward or away from God, in or out of alignment with His desires. When Christ transforms our hearts, that is a miraculous act of divine grace, akin to the physical healings recorded in Scripture; likewise, the other miracles in Scripture are not arbitrary displays of power but purposeful acts that restore body, soul, and relationships. They reveal a God who is sovereign, compassionate, and deeply engaged in the restoration of His creation. Through the reordering of desires and the miraculous acts of healing, God’s redemptive love becomes tangible, offering hope to a world groaning under the weight of sin and pointing to the ultimate restoration promised in His Kingdom.