What Do You Want? (by Cathe Laurie)

“What do you want me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:32; Luke 18:41 ESV)

What Do You Want?

What do you want for Christmas?

It’s the question that rings through the air this time of year. What do you want? What can I give to you to show you my love? What would make you happy?

Alo leggings, a trip to Italy, or a beauty treatment, for example (hint, hint!).

But now, imagine Jesus sitting across from you at your kitchen table, staring intently at you, laser-focused on you, and asking, “What do you want me to do for you?”

It’s a quiet question in the loudness of the holiday season. And He’s talking to you. Not the “perfect Christian” version of you—just the real, messy, holiday-stressed you.

What do you want Him to do for you?

This is not small talk. He’s not asking for a polite answer or a rehearsed prayer. He’s asking because He can actually do something about it.

Recognizing Jesus’ Power

Somewhere along the way, we’ve started treating Jesus like a sympathetic friend who listens to our problems but can’t really help. So, let me remind you: He’s not just kind; He’s the Almighty. The Creator. The One who speaks and storms stop, diseases disappear, and the dead get up and walk.

With one word, He can answer. So, when you strip off the façade of “having it all together,” what is really on your heart? What are you yearning for? What is sitting deep within your soul that maybe you’ve been too scared to express?

Now, I get it—sometimes we don’t ask because we don’t see results right away. Maybe we think the mess is too messy to solve or something has been broken for too long to be fixed. But friends, Christmas isn’t just a season of twinkle lights and Hallmark movies; it’s the celebration of the God who came into this exact mess. He didn’t just meet us here—He conquered it.

So ask BIG! Be honest. He already knows your heart and knows exactly what you’re facing. Let the King of Kings meet you in the chaos.

At the end of the day, He is our greatest gift. He died for us. He promised us life everlasting. He promised to be with us through everything—all the ups, downs, and sideways of life. When you seek Him, you find everything else you didn’t even know you were looking for. No matter what happens, He will never fail.

Bring your brokenness, your doubts, your mess, and bring them expectantly. He can heal. He can restore. And He can fill you and move in ways you can’t even imagine.

This Christmas, don’t settle for the temporary or the superficial. Bring your biggest, boldest wants and needs to Him. The King is here, and He’s gently and sincerely asking, “What do you want me to do for you?”

So, I can’t stress this enough: Ask big. And then watch Him move!

Get these articles in your inbox!

—

Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.