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“But our citizenship is in heaven and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 3:20 (ESV)

He walked slowly to the edge of the deck for just one more look.  I was there too just a few houses down the beach.  We were absorbed in our own goodbyes.  Saturday morning check outs equal last minute glimpses of the ocean waves crashing on shore.  The sun dancing across the water.  Glistening ever so glorious.  I thought I was the only one who took that last look longing for the next time before pivoting toward the now empty house and a car headed home.  Yet as I took it all in, I realized others longed for more too.

Amazing how the quiet hush of life soothes the soul.  Vacation beckons us.  We scramble, rush and exhaust every minute in preparation.  We pack as though we’ll be gone forever.  We carve out time for some good reads and lots of sunshine.  We plan on soaking in every joy forgetting our covered up desk at work and our loads of laundry waiting at home.  The coveted week we all long for.

A strong desire, a deep craving, a yearning – that’s how Webster defines longing.  In the Greek longing is defined as an eager desire, an earnest wish.  Yes the scripts of our lives are consumed with a mirage of our longings for more.  After all, we were created for immensely more than this world could ever offer us. Yet it will attempt to persuade us to settle for less than while our souls thirst for more.

We were created for an intimate relationship – a nearness with our God.  Nothing else satisfies. Nothing else fulfills. Nothing quenches the thirst within. And when we put our faith and trust in God, the hole we’ve attempted to fill is no longer empty. Our eyes lose their zeal for the things of this world.  Our mind is soothed in His peace.  Our hearts passionately pursue God’s will versus our own.  He truly satisfies our hungry soul with good things (Psalm 107:9)

As God’s beloved children, our longings take on a new, dimensional perspective.  We live in this world. We engage with others. We share the gospel.  We seek to fulfill God’s purposes.  As we grow and mature in our faith, our longings transition from here to eternity.  We start to glimpse the beauty of one day being in His presence.  We cherish thoughts of tears being wiped away and joy overflowing.  We linger through dark valleys because we know this is not the end of our story (2 Corinthians 5:2). We walk to the edge of our lives longing for our heavenly home.

Sweet friends, one glorious day we will leave this world and all it’s pretense.  We will step on shore and find we are finally home.  But until then, we keep trusting and longing for the One who truly satisfies.

“Father, better is one day with You than thousands elsewhere – what a beautiful eternity we will have living forever in Your presence.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life