When I am overwhelmed,
you alone know the way I should turn.
Wherever I go,
my enemies have set traps for me.
I look for someone to come and help me,
but no one gives me a passing thought!
No one will help me;
no one cares a bit what happens to me.
Then I pray to you, O Lord.
I say, “You are my place of refuge.
You are all I really want in life.
Hear my cry…  You are good to me.” (Psalm 142:3-7)

This was David’s sad song that he sang to the Lord in the cave when he was hiding from King Saul who wanted to destroy his life. These were frightening days, lonely days, sad days for David. But after he pours out his heart to the Lord, spilling his distress, he comes to a conclusion. He says, “When all is said and done, it’s only you I really want anyway.”

Mary must have felt like this as well. No one gave her and Joseph a passing thought as they were eagerly seeking a place to rest in Bethlehem after a long, exhausting journey from Nazareth. But, like David, Mary had determined that no matter what, all she wanted out of life was to be God’s servant, to do His bidding, and to love Him as she raised His Son.

What do we really want out of life? What is there besides the love the God, the promises He has for us, the peace that passes anything the world can offer, and joy in the midst of it all.

My Father,

It’s you I really want. More of your Spirit, your understanding, your wisdom, and your character, to simply be more like Jesus, who is the exact likeness of you. I say with David, “You are all I really want in life.” Everything else is secondary, nothing else comes close. Help me to seek you like never before. Open my eyes to see you. Open my ears to hear your Word. And make me like you.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.