As we walk through life we are faced with an abundance of both trials and victories. Some seen, some unseen. The people we walk with often don’t understand the burdens we carry even if we try to explain. We may face judgement; our voice can be misunderstood and our attempts to seek community may be tossed into the sea of bitterness.
At night when your head hits the pillow, you may try to explain to your spouse what happened during the day and how you feel about it. Or perhaps when you meet your friend for coffee, the words flow with emotion and release. But somehow, there is more under the surface that the human tongue cannot utter. That is the place created by God – for God. That void that the world can never satisfy.
We have a longing within us, to be a part of some grand adventure. To fight against evil and prevail despite our enemies attempts to conquer us. That desire to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, to have community—a safe resting place. We desire the intimacy of being fully known and loved regardless of our blunders. Our natural tendency is to seek fulfillment in the relationships we establish on earth. We expect people to live up to the standard that is only possible to attain by God. The reality is that we will never find this fullness without first seeking our personal relationship with God.
We are created first for relationship with Christ. And second, for relationship with others. When we go to Christ, we learn what it means to be loved unconditionally. From there he teaches us how to love ourselves and others as he has loved us. It’s a process of trial and error – we won’t always get it right.
As humans we easily sacrifice the desires of our heart for fear of being vulnerable. We fear appearing weak. Even though we know that God has the ability to change lives, some part of us still believes that he cannot or will not help us. As a way of protecting ourselves, we buy into the idea that we are safe in our misery. At least we know what to expect from the disappointments, broken expectations and hardships. In some way we believe that we can control the outcome because we already know that it involves pain. On one hand we want the power of God to take over our lives and change us, change our relationships, our marriage, our community. But on the other hand, the process of getting there scares us enough that we tell ourselves it is better just to wait it all out till it’s over.
God knows every step you have had to take in isolation. Every time you tried to ask for help, just to be met with that silver lining comeback. The one that dismissed your struggle, left you hopeless and solidified your belief that you are “too far gone.”
God knows—he longs for you to give him the space to fight for you in the midst of the battle. He didn't design you to fight alone.
That heart inside of you – was placed there on purpose by a God that loves you passionately. He sees the wounds you have had to endured, the broken expectations and the hateful words that have been thrown at you. He knows exactly where you have fallen short and where you have placed judgement on others – He still chooses you.
As the seasons change and a new year begins, I pray you consider the one that continues to seek after your worthy heart. He longs to embrace you in the midst of the trails and the victories. Be reminded that you were created for the fullness that Christ alone can provide. That God shaped hole will never be filled by the things of this world that are here today and gone tomorrow. May you accept the grand a d v e n t u r e that God has specifically designed for you and him.
You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart
Jeremiah 29:13
- Melanie
Comments