What do you fancy? What is something you long for and dream of having? 

A new car? A bigger home? A huge screen television? Or, maybe something simpler like a favorite food. A getaway to a favorite spot.

We all have those longings of the heart, and that is okay, but sometimes the longing can turn into an obsession. Maybe we think about that favorite bakery we used to go to and the delicious pastries they make that can only be found in that one spot. At first, it’s an occasional thought, a memory that pops up and makes us smile. But, then it turns into more than a thought and we plan to drive out of our way to get to that bakery because we just have to have one of those pastries. Or a dozen.

The desire to have that pastry becomes so strong we make excuses for buying them. I’ll get some to take to the office. Or, I’ll buy some for my women’s Bible study. But, deep down, we are feeding our longing for something we don’t really need, but something that has become an obsession to the point that’s all we think about.

Psalm 78 talks about the Israelites in the wilderness. There is a reminder of all God did for them: parting the sea, giving them water from a rock, providing food in the desert, going before and after them to provide protection. But, what did the people do?

“And they tested God in their heart, by asking for the food of their fancy.” Ps. 78:18

After all God did for them, after all He promised, they still looked back at Egypt and longed for the food they had there. They did not see that God was enough. That He was all they needed and that He would provide for them. They had no real trust in Him.

Are we so much different today? Don’t we all find ourselves seeking something to make our lives more comfortable, which isn’t a horrible thing—until we do it to excess. Until we are consumed with pleasing ourselves. Until we forget to seek out the Provider while seeking the provisions we want. 

The challenge of having such excess has been weighing on me lately. Not that I have an abundance compared to some. I’m not wealthy, but I do have more than I need. 

Maybe it’s time to consider cutting back on whatever strikes our fancy. Cut back on buying something just to please ourselves. 

Instead of allowing that longing to grow to obsession, consider praying first. Is this a need? Is it something you should have or just something you want? When we trim our lives and consider what God wants for us, the obsessions will fade, and our joy in God will become the most important part of our lives.