One Wish

One Wish

Herodias’s Daughter

Read: Mark 6:25

“Don’t forget to make a wish!”

Where do I begin? Chloe wondered. Should I choose a new car to replace my old clunker, or a new man to replace my klutz of a boyfriend? She sighed and took a deep breath. Too bad this birthday wish thing doesn’t work—if it did, I’d wish for fewer candles on this cake that’s lighting up the whole house.

Herodias’s daughter had the opportunity to have a wish come true. She knew that her stepfather’s offer to give her anything up to half his kingdom wasn’t literal; he meant that he would give her anything in his power to grant. She also knew that she needed to give Herod an answer right away, while he was in a party mood and wanting to impress his important guests. When she hurried to ask her mother’s advice, Herodias had a ready answer. She instructed her daughter to ask for the one thing she desired most—the death of John the Baptist.

If we could choose one wish to have granted, our answer would reveal a great deal about us and our values. Would we immediately think of something we needed such as a new car? Or would we ask for something intangible such as having a relationship restored? Of all the things we could choose, our answer would reveal what we most desired at that moment.

Every day, our mind fills with needs and wishes, sometimes crowding out the one thing we should desire most—a closer relationship with our Creator. We can’t help being concerned with our legitimate needs, but when we spend time getting to know God through his Word, our Spirit begins to long for him more than anything else. The more we understand God’s character, the more we see he’s what we really wish for.

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.

Psalm 42:1