This is the title of my message this morning. A year-long study by the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, UK revealed a list of the top 10 most recognizable/persistent songs and the Spice Girls “Wannabe” topped the list. “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. So I’ll tell you what you really, really want. I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want, so tell me what you want, what you really, really want …” I know, you couldn’t help but start singing as you read those lyrics. It’s okay, you can confess it.

What the Spice Girls wanted is different that the focus of my sermon. Jesus wanted to know what people really wanted. He didn’t assume, he asked. Whether it was of the invalid in John 5, or the blind man in Mark 10, he wanted to know what they wanted and if they really wanted to get well.

As I processed Jesus’ question to the invalid in John 5:6, “Do you want to get well?” I kept having those pesky lyrics ringing in my head “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want”. But do I tell what I really, really want or do I just say what seems most obvious or accepted among my tribe?

When I answer the question of what I really want do I then just sit back and wait, or do I get up? Do I sit and wonder why things happen for other people and nothing seems to happen for me as I sit here and wait? While it is true that sometimes we don’t see the change we claim to desire because we are not patient enough, it is also true that we often miss out because we are waiting for it to be served to us when it is already within in reach if we will just get up. (Pretty sure my high school English teacher would have put a red mark here for a run on sentence.)

Jesus told the invalid, after he indicated that he wanted to get well, to “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. At once the man was cured”.

So here is the question following the question this morning. What do you want so much that you will change, or are willing to be changed, in order for it to come true?

What do you really, really want? How will you answer and what will you do?

Warning: I apologize for putting the tune of “Wannabe” in your consciousness today. If you are caught humming or singing it today, you have my permission to blame me. Or, you could take the opportunity to ask that person what they really, really want?

Dennis