The Question Jesus Asked That Still Challenges Me Today

Sometimes one question has the power to expose what's really in our hearts.

As I was reading John chapter 1 recently, one verse stopped me.

Jesus had just been approached by two disciples who began following Him. He turned and simply asked,

"What do you want?" (John 1:38)

At first glance, it seems like an ordinary question.

But the more I reflected on it—and after reading the study notes in my Bible—I realized this question reaches far deeper than I had ever considered.

The study notes explained that it's possible to follow Christ for the wrong reasons. They challenged readers to examine their motives and ask whether they're seeking Christ's glory or their own.

That thought lingered with me.

How often do we ask Jesus to bless our plans instead of asking Him to reveal His?

We pray for success.
We pray for opportunities.
We pray for open doors.

None of those prayers are wrong.

But perhaps an even greater prayer is:

"Lord, help me want what You want."

One of the reasons I created VoiceRise is because I believe every woman has a God-given voice.

But that voice isn't meant to point people toward us.

It's meant to point people toward Him.

Confidence without humility becomes pride.

Influence without purpose becomes self-promotion.

But when our hearts are surrendered to Christ, He can use our ordinary words to encourage, comfort, and inspire others.

Today, I want to leave you with the same question Jesus asked those first disciples:

What do you want?

Not just from your career.
Not just from your relationships.
Not just from your future.

But from Jesus Himself.

If your deepest desire is to know Him more, trust Him more, and follow wherever He leads, you'll discover a purpose far greater than anything you could have planned on your own.

As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Your voice matters.

But the greatest purpose of your voice is to glorify the One who gave it to you.

Speak Life. Rise Higher.