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The Power of Desire
In any discussion of religion there is always likely to be someone who declares that he is not religiously minded, much as he might say, it is difficult for him to learn mathematics. He is likely to add that he leaves religion to some other members of the family.
In many cases this is merely an apology for not attending to religious duties, or for engaging in non-religious practices. More often it results from an imperfect religion, or a misunderstanding of the meaning of religion.
Religion, as a philosophy of life, determines our conduct. As we believe so we act. As we act so we move to success or failure. If a person's religion is founded in truth, its practice leads to human welfare.
Under this definition, all people are religiously minded; for they all, without exception, desire happiness. And, further, by this definition, mathematics and all other academic disciplines, which may be used to attain happiness, become contributory to a religion which has for its objective the happiness of mankind.
They who claim that they are not religiously minded, if sincere, fail to understand, or they overlook, the real cause of their condition. Religious indifference, as all unbelief and doubt, is usually due to a want of a strong, living, continuing desire to know the truth and the foundations of religion. Their desire for that which religion gives is not strong enough to pay the price of religious observance. The desire for transient pleasures is greater than the desire for permanent joy. Thus the way to religion is hindered; and only a weak spiritual life can exist.
We cannot go far in religion, or anything else, for that matter, without desire. The culture of right desires is of supreme importance in a person's life. In the last analysis, the culture of men is the culture of desire. The Lord in the early days of the Church issued the challenge: "If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work." 1
The power of desire is beyond question. Desire is like the rudder which directs the course of the ship. One boy desires to become an expert mechanic; another looks forward to a legal career. Twenty years later both are probably engaged in the work of their choice. For good or evil, our desires determine largely our careers, present and future.
One young man desired to know whether sound waves, impressed on wax, could be reproduced; and showed that it could be done. Edison then laid the foundation of the reproduction of sound, which has reached into the heart of radio, with all its mysteries.
Another young man desired to know why his supposedly well-fed chickens died; and, as the result, Eijkman made possible our marvelous, expanding science of nutrition, by which the life-line is lengthened, and the days of life made more enjoyable.
The colonists of America, fighting and redeeming the wilderness, desired liberty, the first right of man; and the Constitution of Freedom was written, upon which has been built a nation of freedom, an example to all who are oppressed.