How to Want More of God
A Campfire, a Psalm, and a Heart Fully Lit
If it were somehow possible to make campfire smoke into cologne, I’d wear it.
Nothing in this world is quite like autumn: the changing leaves, a crisp breeze, and a fire that warms the body and lights up the soul with mystery. The flames bounce almost weightlessly in the air, floating like a king cobra, hypnotic and mesmerizing. They almost dare you to look away… so they can strike.
There’s something proud in the fire—the heat, the light, the mesmerizing dance. Fire can forge warships and weapons… but it can also draw a community close, wrapping hearts in rest and blessing.
And what I love is the path to the flame. Someone made space. Cleared the ground (in our day, maybe they used firestarter or gasoline—no judgment 😂). But because one person made the effort, many are warmed. Grateful. Laughing around it, or roasting marshmallows in delight.
That fire—so warm, majestically beautiful—reminds me of Psalm 59, where David keeps repeating one phrase:
“My God is my fortress.”
Over and over again. Repetition comes from Relationship. You don’t repeat something you don’t believe in.
When Repetition Isn’t Religion—It’s Relationship
We’ve explored how David had such a deep, intimate relationship with God. And today’s psalm reminded me that no matter your circumstances, you can have that same kind of relationship. But it starts with something simple:
Asking.
David’s repetition wasn’t empty. It was the language of longing. “God is my fortress,” he said—again and again. That’s the voice of a heart that wants more. And that’s what I want to explore with you today.
New believers sometimes ask me, “How do you want more of God?” or “How do you stay so consistent?”
Here’s where I always start: You ask Him.
Desire begins by asking for desire.
Step 1: Ask—Clear the Space
The first step toward fire is clearing the space.
Psalm 37:4 is one of the most misquoted verses in Christian circles:
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
That doesn’t mean God gives you whatever you want.
Thank God He doesn’t, because that would ruin the relationship. It would be like me buying my daughters everything they ever asked for, but never giving them myself. That’s not love. That’s a transaction.
Instead, the verse means God gives you the actual desire for Him. He changes your wants. He gives you the longing itself.
So asking is like clearing the area for a fire, gathering the logs, making room. It’s preparation for God to ignite something inside you.
You can’t create that fire on your own. You can’t manifest it. All you can do is humbly ask God to awaken the desire in you.
And He honors that.
Step 2: Desire Grows in the Light
Desire doesn’t grow in the dark. It grows in the light.
One of the things I love about ultrarunning isn’t just the competition, it’s the discipline of showing up. If you just keep showing up, mile after mile, the race becomes bearable. Endurable.
It’s the same with God.
The more you show up, the more space you give Him to work in your heart. And you’re not showing up to tell your friends you did your quiet time. You’re showing up to tell the Friend that you’re here… and want to talk.
Jeremiah 29:13 says:
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
That kind of seeking is quiet. Surrendered. Not loud or performative.
Keep opening your Bible.
Keep sitting with Him.
This is a reminder during your difficult seasons: don't measure your zeal by your feelings. Zeal is proven in presence. Passion fades, but faithful presence fans the flame.
Step 3: Build the Altar—Don’t Force the Fire
You can’t manufacture God’s fire, but you can build the altar.
Leviticus 6:12 says:
“The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out.”
God sends the fire, but the priests had one job: keep the altar clear.
That’s our job now.
Maybe there’s no fire in your spiritual life because you’ve been trying to light it yourself.
Trying to “be good enough.”
Reading the Bible to impress Him.
Going to three Bible studies a week, so He’ll “bless” your efforts.
You’re trying to take the matches from a God who doesn’t need them and light the fire yourself. When it doesn’t light, you frustratingly stand by it with God and yell at the fire. God, eternally patient, stands there with you waiting for you to ask Him.
Instead of striving to manufacture spiritual growth, start showing up with the posture that you get to. And let Him build the fire. He is more than certified (and He doesn’t need quick start or lighter fluid haha)
Clear the junk. Make space. Trade distraction for devotion. God fills what is empty and open.
The Never Finished Challenge:
Ask.
Show up.
Clear the junk.
Keep making space for God to build a fire.
The presence of God makes the aroma of a campfire seem like a faint shadow in fall.
Every word you read.
Every prayer.
Every worship song.
Every intentional moment…
It places you not just around a campfire in the mountains with no worries in the world, but in the fire of God’s presence, lit by the Spirit, eternally shaped by grace, sealed with His love.
Time with Him is the perfect scenario, one that cannot be articulated with words.
What does today say about God?
King David had it all—royalty, good looks, influence, and power.
Yet he chose not to chase status or performance. He dug deep into a heart where God could mold and shape him. He reflected on God's ways—not his own glory.
Why?
Because David knew that more of God satisfies every longing.
And he knew that because he spent time with the Torah, the Word of God.
He meditated on who God is.
And from that place of reflection, the flames of intimacy rose.
He repeated the promises of God and made it through a death-threatening season.
God had all He needed, and He has all I need.
He satisfies not just for today, but for eternity.
What a God!
What a King!
What a Father!
What a Friend!
Thank you, Jesus.