Spiritual Longing

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, GOD has set eternity in the hearts of men (mankind), meaning by design, He woos men and women to Himself with a spiritual hunger that only He can fill.

There is a spiritual longing in all of us. We run after the questions of life --
Why are we here?
What is our purpose?
What is the meaning of life?

I believe this is a created hunger for God and we will search everywhere till we find Him.

There are many places we search for answers. We discover what religion says. We look to government and education. We seek power and peace through meditation. We try astrology, mediums and psychics. We seek out raw foods and essential oils. We want our dreams interpreted. We try meditation, yoga, Reiki and other means of centering our souls. Yet, our hunger isn't satisfied. We continue to search out new ways to fill the emptiness and squelch the questions.

Don Richardson wrote a book called Eternity in Their Hearts: Startling Evidence of Belief in the One True God in Hundreds of Cultures Throughout the World.

A universal hunger? Universal stories? Interesting to think about.

Jesus tells us if we seek, we will find. If we ask it will be given to us. And, if we knock, the door will be opened to every spiritual truth you hunger for. *

And, Jesus also tells us that He is the bread of life; anyone who comes to Him shall not hunger, and anyone who believes in Him shall never thirst. **

What are you seeking? Do you experience a longing for more? What do you think of the idea that there is a vacuum within each us that longs to be filled? Could it be that eternity is woven into the very fabric of who we are?

I hope you will investigate Jesus. He came because of love for you and for me. Ask. Seek. Knock. I know you will find His peace, forgiveness, grace and Truth. He alone will satisfy your spiritual hunger and thirst.

Eternity is for everyone, but you do need to choose your destination.

Jeanne

Casting Crowns - The Well:

* Matthew 7:7-14
**John 6:35

 

Day 14 - 31 Day Blog Challenge

Drink Deeply: Bread, Fish, Pennies and Perfume

For the last week I have been taking atomic medications for bronchitis. I have been so dehydrated from all of the decongestant and antihistamines; all I want to do is drink water. I am not sure if that’s why this phrase popped up in my writing this week. But, it fits. Scripture is pretty clear about Jesus being the Living Water and his visit with the woman at the well confirms that when we are thirsty, we need to come to Him. He is the wellspring that never runs dry; the source of everything we need.


I watched as a hummingbird darted amongst my flowers this morning. I wanted to capture it drinking from my flowers with my camera, but he was too quick; zip-sip, zip-sip and he was gone. Yet I noticed he couldn’t stay away. He returned often to those same flowers to drink deeply of the sweet nectar.

So often in my quiet time with God, I read His word and meditate on its meaning for my life. I return to passages that have spoken truth in a situation and drink deeply again on His faithfulness to provide. This brought me to three scriptures I would like to share with you. Each of them is rich with something for us to drink deeply from. And, they were brought to my mind as I realized that I am so guilty of being miserly with my resources (time, talents, etc.) so I drank deeply of the connectedness of these messages myself this week.

Matthew 14:13-21 – Feeding of the 5,000

Mark 14:3-9 – The woman with the alabaster vial of perfume

Luke 21:1-4 – The widow’s offering

In each of these stories something is given; a boy’s lunch; a vial of expensive perfume and two copper coins. Each of the givers gave everything they had to Jesus. As I stopped to drink deeply of His wellspring, this is what I heard the Lord say about bread, fish, pennies and perfume:

I have given you so much and equipped you with the Holy Spirit’s power! Don’t be afraid that if you give it back to me, that the well will run dry. Your offerings of time, talents and giftedness, even though they seem small and insignificant to you, I will multiply them to feed a multitude of those who are hungry and thirsty for Me. And, when you pour out yourself as an offering to Me, though you are broken, you will spread the fragrance of Me to others who need to know that I am the Truth and the Source for everything they need.

Though I am tempted to hoard my resources so that I won’t run dry, He is asking me to give everything I have to Him and allow Him to be the one to multiply them to satisfy a hungry and thirsty crowd. I will be sipping on this one for awhile….

Drink deeply from the Eternal Spring,

Cape Cod Clips

My Cape Cod getaway was wonderful. I have just returned and want to share a bit of my heart from my weekend away:

Friday May 19, 2011

I am here, Lord—I come into your presence and ask for your forgiveness; I fall short every day, not spending time with you—in your word, in prayer and listening for your voice. I have come apart to be with you; show me what I need to focus on this weekend…

I love your word—I’ve not experienced the sweet times consistently in awhile; too busy; too rushed; too many distractions. Draw me back to your presence, Father, so I may drink deeply. Fill my cup, Lord.

“My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God.” Psalm 42:2

I come, Lord. So thirsty.

Thank you for the glimpses of sunshine. Thank you that the rain has stopped. Thank you for the kind breeze—it is your whispers I’m listening for. I must listen past the buzz saw of life—the forever drone of its distractions. Help me instead, to focus on the cardinal’s call, “I’m here. Look up to find me in the budding branches of spring.” In it I hear the Master say, I have a message budding within you—my words—my voice—my call to you. Listen and look up…

As the buzz saw fades, I hear the birds speak:

Believe in me. Believe in my love. Come. Come to me.

I know that you love me, Lord. I believe.

I know you have called.

I come.

Ready to receive your words

Speak, Lord, for I am listening

I listen to the sound of the ocean waves:

Waves roll

Gentle laps

Tickling the shore

Bringing cool refreshment

Your waves of love

Roll over me

I am refreshed

Thanks for coming along with me,

Jeanne