The Gift of Longing

"The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing."

C.S. Lewis (from "The Weight of Glory")

There is longing in every human heart because God created us needy.  We are carried in the womb for 9 months and emerge needing to be washed, fed, and carried.  Young children are completely dependent on their parents for love, provision, protection, nourishment, and training.  Unknown to little ones (and many older, independent folks too) is we have spiritual needs which outweigh the physical ones which are signaled by our bodies like hunger, thirst, and fatigue:  the need for forgiveness and redemption by God because we are sinners.

C.S. Lewis touched on a unique aspect of the human condition:  an appreciation of the arts, of music, pageantry, and beauty.  Our taste in clothing styles, music and cuisine differs, but the appreciation of skills and creativity beyond our own captivates and enraptures.  We long for love and acceptance, to be appreciated, to accomplish something significant and worthwhile.  This longing may be numbed or go dormant by cynicism or perceived failures, but the desire remains.  Have you ever known this longing, a dream that is felt more fully when awake than asleep?  Whether this longing burns bright or has died down to embers, it is a need only fully satisfied in God.

Isn't there a longing in everyone to be wanted, even to be needed?  We all want to be chosen, acknowledged as belonging, valued for who we are--though flawed.  The great God who created mankind has come to us in the person of Jesus Christ and called us all to Himself.  The beauty of His invitation to know and live with Him forever is not on the basis we are numbered among a select few but His awesome greatness and love for all.  The fabled courage of the knight risking life and limb against a fire-breathing dragon to save a princess only hints at the longing we have to be so courageous ourselves and is put to shame by the love demonstrated by God for us.  We want to be the brave knight but we are better cast as a vain and unfaithful damsel who grows to love her own reflection over all else.  While we were yet sinners Jesus Christ died for us so we could be saved!  All the songs and poetry of the world together cannot outshine this truth which eternally satisfies our deepest longings.

Worship the LORD in the beauty of His holiness!  Even now He is preparing room in His kingdom for all who return His love with trust.