Longing

I stretch out my hands to You; My soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah. Psalm 143:6

We recently added some new “block out” curtains to try and keep the bedroom a little cooler during this summer heat. I woke up that first night and had the strangest feeling. Even in

the night, the room was darker. It was so dark that I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I couldn’t make out any object in the room. The feeling that overcame me was one of searching. My mind began to “search” for light. It was so strange that there was nothing. No light from within the house, no light from the moon or stars out the window, no light at all. As I searched for light I began to meditate on the things of the Lord. Just as my mind began to search for light, our soul “longs” or “searches” for things of God.

Dr. Jerry Root wrote in an article for Christian Today that, “If we are made by God, it stands to reason that since He is the source of our very being, we should expect to find something within us that longs to be connected to Him.” God created us for communion. He desires a to have a relationship with each one of us. God created all things but humans are the only creation that was made to enter into a personal relationship with Him.

Our longing for God can be mistaken for “wanting” or thinking we “need” earthly things. Many times we refer to our friends and loved ones as filling the void in their hearts with things not of God. We can be guilty of trying to fill a void too. Our hearts desire and need love. Even if the love of our spouse, friends or parents is wonderful there is still a longing for something else. Peace most often is the thing that eludes us. Peace about a decision we have to make. Peace about the status of our relationships. Peace about our financial situation. Peace about our job. The lack of peace is really a longing for a connection to God. Find a place to pray. Spend time with the God of all comfort. Fulfill your desire for peace and the longing for relationship with the God that created you and knows you better than anyone. Search for Him as my mind searched for the light. Seek Him and find peace.

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Pastor Julia Scott