Longings

Sometimes I become aware that I long for more. Friendship. Intimacy. Money. Health. Influence. More mountains or beach.

These desires come unexpected and pull me like dark chocolate while dieting.

Wishing the sunset would stay still for another half hour.... That the colors would keep kaliedoscoping but not fade.... Wishing my Mom would get well, or my daughter would find her dream job....

Whatever our longings, there's always a desire for something more. I think it was G K Chesterton who suggested that our longings for fleeting pleasures to last are really longings for eternity for which our hearts were made.*

It was only recently I thought of another longing. God's. For us.

A heart that loves us and made us for intimacy wants to pour out the best for us. That amazing Person "longs to be gracious to [us]." Isaiah 30:18 (NKJV) describes the Deliverer as "waiting" for us to respond to His longing for meaningful relationship. No more broken promises.

Working together. Laughing together. Setting up the Kingdom of God together.

That quiets my heart.

For Your Consideration

Thoughtfully read Isaiah 30: 15-26.

Imagine the Lord of all power and personhood LONGING to be gracious to you. What would that look like?

How might God be longing for you? How will you respond?

*My research of quotes, Ravi Zacharias, C S Lewis and G K Chesterton, haven't yet unearthed the desired quote. If you are familiar with such a quote, please let me know.