The Longings of the Heart: What do I really want?

What do you want...really? How can you satisfy longings in a way that is restorative and without regret? The human heart yearns deeply for fulfillment. Our desires, at the core, are multifaceted, good, and God-given. However, the ways we try to fulfill them can be destructive. Here are a few of the 'holy-longings' described in the Bible.

Unending Love

A selfless, trustworthy, accepting love from someone who is faithful and helpful.

John 15:12-13

Unity in Diversity

Some means by which we can live unified with those who differ from us.

Ephesians 2:14

Connection

To know and be known, from face-to-face dialogue to the proliferation of technical gadgetry, we want to speak and be spoken to.

Genesis 2:18

Causal Community

Relationships that are significant and earnest, revolving around something larger than our individual lives.

Acts 2:44-47

Humility

Accepting others and ourselves in a way that allows us to pour ourselves out for the benefit and well being of those around us.

Philippians 2:3-4

Peace

A harmony that that puts an end to cruelty, abuse, and painful tears.

John 16:33

These longings are by design and holy. They reflect the character of God and define what it means to be created in His image. Unfortunately, our longings are tainted by our fallen condition. There is a name for sin-stained longings: lust. Our lusts refract the beautiful light of God and distort His image in our lives. Lusts find expression in using others. These dark longings drive all the destructive actions of humanity. Holy longings, on the other hand, fulfilled in God-honoring ways, bless others, including the One who made us. 

It is through an on-going relationship with Jesus Christ, being led and empowered by the Teaching Spirit of God, that I become restored to the place of truthful communication, unreserved love, causal community, humble service, peaceful interaction, and unified diversity. I believe access to Jesus (and this kind of restoration) is just a prayer away from all people, no matter what they have done, or what has been done to them.

Supplication:
Fill and empower us to always be fulfilling our longings in a way that restores our lives and your world to goodness. Let not our longings be stained by sin to become lusts. Help us yield our everyday lives to you.  In the good name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

God cares about you...here's proof.

Birds             Bread             Flowers             Fish

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26

God cares. This is the message of Jesus...and he was hated for it.

Why?

There is no control or manipulation in His teaching. Religious leaders of Jesus' day (and many in ours) relished the control they had over people. 


There are really only two motives for action: love and fear. Fear focuses on consequences. Love focuses on connection.

Jesus' example and words focus squarely on love for God and others.
Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus made a distinction between being religious (fear motivation) and having a relationship with God (love motivation). Understanding the difference, and being motivated by gracious love for God and others, is the pathway to more joy.

How different would life be if we navigated our days with a deep belief that God is always near and profoundly cares for us? Consider his words from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

9“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

Every good father does three things for his children: he cares, guides, and provides. Children sometimes rebel against the guidance of good fathers. When it comes to our heavenly Father, we all have.

23For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24

A good father makes a way for a wayward child to come home, should they choose to do so. 

We can come home through faith in Christ, to the joy of our Father.

Father,

I know I have sinned and gone my own way. Thank you for making the way for me to come back to you. I receive all that Jesus did for me. He paid the price for my rebellion with His loving sacrifice. He gave his perfect life for me, so that I could give my imperfect life to you. Please make something beautiful out of my life and help me love others the same way that you love me. Amen.

If you want further information on life with God, feel free to email me at: restorationchurch.tim@gmail.com