LONGING

Can you reflect on times in your life when you really “longed” for something?

–Was it for a baby that you really wanted to make your family complete?

–Was it for a child to return home after a semester at college in another state?

–Was it to save up enough money to buy the house you wanted to provide for your family?

–Was it to get a long awaited snail mail letter from your loved one far away?

–Was it waiting to hear that your loved one, who was in the path of a natural disaster, was safe?

–Was it wanting to be acknowledged by somebody you looked up to?

–Was it counting down the days til you saw your loved one return from deployment and were able to hold them in your arms once again?

Photo credit by BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

 

Now think of what feelings or emotions you were overcome with as that longing came closer to fruition.

–Did the longing for the event to happen become stronger and stronger as each day passed?

–Did you want it so bad, and if wishing could make it happen, it would have happened right away?

–Did each day seem like an eternity?

–Did you start to wonder if the longing would really happen?

–Did it release in you a new passion in you be more sensitive to others going through trials?

–Did it make you more patient through your waiting?

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In thinking about the longings you have experienced in life and those emotions, let me ask you this…..

Have you ever thought about how much the Lord truly LONGS for you everyday?

…to know Him intimately.

…to love Him with all your heart.

…to serve Him in all you do.

…to acknowledge Him at work in you, in your life,  in others.

…to see Him in all of Creation.

…to talk with Him.

…to praise Him in all things.

…to embrace the unconditional, everlasting love that He offers.

…to put Him first in your life.

…to see Him working all things together for your good, according to His plan.

 

Photo credit by Kevin Shorter under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

 

God, who is our loving Father, truly LONGS for us.  He sent Jesus, His only Son, to earth and then to death, death on the cross, to save YOU from your sins.  His love for you is just that great!!

God LONGS for us to commune continually with Him.

Let me leave you with this thought to reflect on this week:

God LONGS for you even more than the greatest longing you have ever experienced…..Wow!

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Could you share in the comment section below your experience of longing for something and the feelings or emotions you recall associated with that?  It is a blessing to hear from you and learn how God is working in your life.

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Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.  –Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  –2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)