- Arrival of L.L. Bean Christmas Catalogue
- Too early for Christmas? 18 months of presidential election. 60 days of Christmas cheer.
- Bold claim of the past 90 days.
The older I get, the more I realize what I truly want for Christmas, and in life.
Here is the premise of the coming weeks: “I believe that the word of God describes for us inescapable longings, desires, wishes in the core or every human heart that cannot be ignored, denied or pacified: they must be satisfied.”
I believe there are longings that each of us have deep within us, placed there by God when He knit together our inmost being. Longings that exist for the purpose of drawing us into His grace and presence. Longings that manifest themselves as aches within our heart. Cavities within our spirit that cry out to be filled, and one way or another, legitimately or illegitimately, each of these human, heart longings will be filled.
I believe that when God made us in His image, He intentionally placed these wishes and desires deep within our hearts for the very purpose of being able to fill them. We were made for Him. So we each have built within us a God-shaped vacuum that will remain empty and void until we allow God to fill it by satisfying these deepest longings.
No wish list. No present under the tree. No gift card to Fayette Mall. No catalogue will ever satisfy these cravings. God has placed them within us so that He alone might fulfill them to the uttermost.
Now, there are some foundational statements that I need to make today about these longings. They might make more sense at the end of our series than they do this morning. In fact, as you hear them at this moment, you may not even agree with them, or at the very least may wonder what the Biblical basis is for them.
All I can ask is that you hang in there with me. Give me time over the next few teachings to share from God’s Word, and I think when it is all said and done you just might say, “Wow, that really make sense.”
So here they are. Some. . .
FOUNDATIONAL UNDERSTANDINGS REGARDING OUR LIFE LONGINGS
1. THESE ARE UNIVERSAL LIFE LONGINGS.
Everyone of us has them. We are all created in the image of God, and God’s image is consistent, true, and never changing. So while we are each unique, within each of us are elements of commonality. And I believe these longings are part of that common make-up.
Your earthly Christmas list might be as different from mine as night is to day. But when push comes to shove. When the tree is unplugged and the ornaments are put away. When the family has all gone home, and the leftovers have all been eaten. When we each sit down at the dawn of a New Year, take a deep sigh, and look inside ourselves. We will each see a universal set of longings that tug at our heart. Secondly. . .
2. THEY ARE FROM GOD, AND THEREFORE, THEY ARE GOOD.
Much of American Christianity has roots of influence in the Puritan movement and DNA. Those roots of influence have a tendency to view all pleasure and desire as evil. For some of us, the result was being raised in legalistic environments that carried the assumption that if something gives us pleasure, it must somehow be wrong, and therefore must be rejected.
The problem is, if the longings that are pulling at us are created in us by God, no attempts to repent of the longings or deny the longings are going to do us any good. The problem is not the longings of our heart. The problem is when we try to satisfy those longings in un-Godly ways.
Because Satan is a master counterfeiter, for each longing that God has placed within our heart, he will attempt to provide a counterfeit way to fulfill that longing. And that can lead to sin. But the longings themselves are from God, and are good for the purpose of drawing us to Him for life fulfillment.
So my contention is that there are good, universal longings from God in each of our hearts, and not only are they good and universal, but. . .
3. THEY ARE ETERNAL.
These longings that our Creator has placed within us can only be truly fulfilled by Him. While we are here on earth, we just scratch the surface. We just a get a taste of all that He has for us. He provides us with just enough satisfaction to sustain us in the journey, but leaves just enough longing and aching to keep pulling us forward.
Paul wrote, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (I Corinthians 13:12, ESV)”
Finally. . .
4. EACH LONGING IS A MEANS FOR KNOWING GOD MORE DEEPLY.
You are going to see over the coming days that each of these longings. Each of these urges within our hearts. Each of these desires that we long to have fulfilled were placed in us by God to guide us in this eternal pursuit of knowing Him more and more.
Look again at what Paul said, “Then I shall know fully.” Each of these longings are connected to who God is. That is why any worldly attempt to fulfill them. Any twisted temptation of Satan that causes us to pursue our cravings apart from God will be temporary and short term. Because the purpose of the longings is to draw us deeper into relationship with God, and if we fulfill them in ways that draw us away from God, there will be no lasting satisfaction.
Think about it. How many Christmas gifts from last year are you using today? How many even still fit? Parents, how many boxes of toys and electronics do you have that one Christmas morning were the ecstasy and joy of your child and within a year. . .tops. . .were forgotten and pushed aside.
- Annual pre-Christmas Monck family clean-out
Okay, so here we are. I’ve boldly predicted that I know what you truly desire for your life. I’ve made the claim that there are some universal, good, God given, eternal longings within each and every one of us that is placed in us for the purpose of knowing God more intimately and deeper than ever before.
So what are they? What are these cravings that Satan perverts and offers empty substitutes for? What are the drivers and emotions that are designed to lead us to that place that the Psalmist writes about when he says, “in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11, ESV)”
Have you ever peaked at a present? Be honest. You know what I’m talking about. “Oops. Looks like this gift wrap got tore a little bit. Just have to fix that up a little bit.” And you take a small peak. Standing on your tip-toes to look down into a stocking. Trying to see through the bag that your husband is carrying in from the mall.
Well, that is all you get today. A peak. Just a quick glance at the longings that we will be exploring together over the next few weeks. Don’t get too excited on my now. I can see your faces are just bubbling with anticipation.
Now I’ll warn you. You are going to fall into a couple of different categories when you hear these. Some of you are going to be in the “No, dah” group. You will think it is so obvious that it can go unsaid. Unfortunately, for many people, it probably has.
Others of you will be in the “Not me” group. “Other people may want that in their life, but I don’t.” You are the ones that are already struggling with the foundational understandings we outlined. You are already debating this whole idea in your head. You are not ready to buy that this stuff is wired into you, or that you even have a desire for such things.
But my prayer, my hope, is for those of you who fall into the “That’s me” group. The ones that say, “That’s what I’ve been searching for all my life. I’ve tried to find it and fulfill it in so many different ways. So many wrong ways. And now I see why God has placed that in me, and how He truly can satisfy my longing.” So if you find yourself in that group as we journey together, be sure to let me know so that I can be encouraged by how God is working in your life.
Seven longings. (Note re: outline snafu) First –
A. THE LONGING TO BE ENJOYED BY GOD.
If you have ever asked yourself the question, “How can God even like me?” You have expressed this longing. If you have ever sought out the approval of others. Desired their affirmation and acceptance. Wanted someone to just tell you, “I really like being around you.” Then you already have the evidence that this craving is built into your life.
Isaiah 62:5 says, “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.”
Luke 15 gives us three word pictures of the lengths God will go to in order to enjoy His children. The man searching for the one lost sheep. The woman frantically looking for the coin. The father of the prodigal son running to him while he was still a great way off, falling around his neck, and kissing him.
You see, we think that we want to be liked by others. And we learn over and over again the hurt and pain that comes from the rejection of people no accepting us. But what we really crave down inside. What will really bring us fulfillment and wholeness. What is really on our Christmas list beneath all the superficial things is a longing to be rejoiced over like a bride is by her groom. A longing to be enjoyed by God.
Not tolerated. Not put up with. But as Psalm 18:19 tells us, delivered because He delights in us.
Another longing of our heart. Another item on our secret wish list. . .
B. THE LONGING FOR FASCINATION.
In every human spirit there is a craving to marvel. We long to be filled with wonder. So if we are artistic, we go to a gallery or museum and ooh and awe over the great works of Michelangelo, Rembrandt, or Picaso. If we enjoy sports, we spend insane amounts of money to watch the best of the best hit a home run further, dunk a basketball from farther out, or run for a 50 yard touchdown faster than it has ever been run.
If you are like me, and are amazed by nature, we’ll hike to the top of a natural bridge to see the colors of fall. We’ll climb to the top of the Rocky Mountains to observe their majesty. We’ll sleep out in the rain for the opportunity to walk down into a cave and marvel at the formations.
We all have a longing to be fascinated. Just watch this (card trick video).
Who doesn’t like to watch a really good magic trick? Why? Because we long to be in awe, to marvel at something, to be fascinated by someone. And that has been placed there by God to be fulfilled by God.
I Corinthians 2:9 says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” That is fascinating to think about.
Isaiah tells us that a child will be born and His name shall be called “Wonderful.” Paul wrote that he counted all things loss for the “excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.”
God has placed within us a longing to be fascinated because He knows that when we see His magnificence and beauty, that longing will be fulfilled. Eternally, and beyond measure anything we have seen or heard, or ever even tried to comprehend.
A third longing of our hearts. . .
C. THE LONGING FOR BEAUTY.
If we don’t all fall into the “No dah” category on this one, we are probably lying to ourselves. Just look at the money we spend on looking good. Or at least trying to. Clothes. Haircuts. Cosmetics. Cosmetic surgery. Weight loss. My gosh, if there was a sweeping awareness across our country that the longing for beauty was from God, and that what we are truly longing for is an internal beauty, not an external one. It would bring about a greater economic crisis than anything we have seen in all history.
Even the longing for beauty has been placed in by God. The prophet Isaiah declared, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor. . .to give them beauty for ashes. (Isaiah 61:1-3)”
So the catch is where we find that beauty. Moses writes in Psalm 90, “Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.” Later on in Psalm 149 we read, “For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.”
I’ll bet a good portion of our actual Christmas lists are loaded with items to help us fulfill this longing for beauty. But those are all temporary distortions of the true satisfying of this craving.
Now, as I study these, it seems to me that some of these longings can be more gender pulling than others. Not either/or, just stronger in one gender than the other from time to time. So if the longing for beauty might be stronger in women, the next one often reveals itself in more drastic ways in men.
D. THE LONGING FOR GREATNESS.
Whether it is as a young boy playing “King of the Hill” or as a grown man playing King of the Boardroom, King of the Home, or King of the Local Board of Administration, there tends to be this drive within the very heart of man to be great. To be crowned as the greatest. Number one.
In Kentucky, we don’t want sweet sixteens or Final Fours, we want National Championships. We no longer care that we have the best football team we have had in years. We now want the SEC crown placed upon our heads. We are motivated and often driven for greatness.
And I believe that we will fulfill that longing when we recognize that it is from God, and we pursue the fulfillment of it in Godly ways.
Within just a few moments of preaching in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” And moments later, “Whoever does and teaches them [God’s commandments], he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:12, 19)
Notice what it says in Matthew 20, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” Doesn’t say it is wrong to want to be great. Doesn’t say that the desire and craving to be first is a bad thing. Just says, within the Kingdom of God there is a bit different way that we go about being great. The longing is from God, and the fulfillment of the longing is found in Him as well.
You still with me. We’re just peaking at the presents. Seeing what might be going under the tree. Well get to open them fully in the coming days. A few more. . .
E. THE LONGING FOR INTIMACY WITHOUT SHAME.
Satan has really done a number on this one. That is why it is difficult for us to even put those words together. The mere use of the word “intimacy” embarrasses and brings emotions of shame to some people’s minds.
But anyone who has ever awoken the next morning, wondering how they got there and what they did the night before, knows what it is like to long for intimacy without shame. Anyone who has ever wanted to just put their life out on the table, show all their cards, but was too embarrassed to do it, knows what it is like to long for intimacy without shame.
That’s how God desired it to be. He placed Adam and Eve in the garden. They were completely naked. And in the second chapter of the Bible we are specifically told that they were not ashamed. Why? Because that is how God designed it. To be in intimate relationships that are free from shame. It is a part of who we are created to be.
But we know that immediately following the fall, they immediately felt shame. And the purity of their intimacy with God and with each other was broken. So God sent His son to die on the cross in order that our guilt and shame might be removed and we might once again enter into a place of intimacy with Christ and with each other.
Jesus prayed for this very thing: “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us. . .the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one. ..that they may be made perfect in one. (John 17:21-23)” Oneness is the ultimate express and fulfillment of intimacy. Oneness with God and with each other.
Well I’ve been through enough junk in my own life, and I’ve shared enough life with many of you to know that many of us can relate to the next one.
F. THE LONGING TO BE WHOLEHEARTED.
We long to fulfill the command to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind. But the spirit is willing, and the flesh is weak. And we get up from the altar, or leave the church with a craving to live for Him with everything in our beings. Then almost immediately we find the things of this world pulling away pieces of our heart. Pieces of our soul. Pieces of our mind.
Half-heartedness with God is a horrible way to live life. Half-hearted followers have too much of God to enjoy sin, and too much sin to truly enjoy God. We are left somewhere in between with a serious spiritual dichotomy, and are usually quite miserable. We recognize the superior nature of the things of God, but give ourselves more fully to the things that feed our flesh. And until we come to a place of wholeheartedness before God, we will never be effective or satisfied because it is a longing that He has placed within us.
If like Paul you find yourself wrestling with, “I do the things I don’t want to do, and I don’t do the things that I want to do,” you know what it is like to wrestle with the longing to be wholehearted.
Finally, I believe God has placed within each of us. . .
G. THE LONGING TO MAKE A DEEP AND LASTING IMPACT.
It is humbling to consider that we play a small, but significant role in a very large drama, in a great conflict with eternal consequences. Have you ever thought about that? We play a small, but significant role in a very large drama, in a great conflict with eternal consequences.
In the Great Commission we are told to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” That is a call to make a deep and lasting impact. Making disciples of all nations. It is a call on each and every one of our lives. It is something that God birthed within us.
Stop by the death bed of a life long Christian, and of a life long pagan, and you will find them reflecting on the same thing, “Have I done anything that will last? Have I made a difference with my life?” The longing to make a deep and lasting impact.
Well I know time is short, and I have gone long as we lay the groundwork for the coming weeks together. And you can put down your Bibles, and your outlines and look up here. I want to make sure you know why I think this is so important.
On September 8, 1941, Hitler laid siege to Leningrad, and the residents of this historic Russian town hunkered down. They didn’t know how long they would have to survive, or could survive the onslaught of the enemy. They had no idea that they would be under the hand of the Nazis for nearly two and a half years.
They had fuel and food reserves for two months, at the most. By the first winter there was no heat, no water and very little food. A few hundred thousand people were evacuated, but more than 640,000 would die. Until the siege lifted in January of 1944, the city was a picture of tortuous waiting. Millions of people waiting for a deliverer to come.
What happened in Leningrad provides us with a good picture for how many people view the Christian walk. Lives that should be marked by joy and fulfillment and the pleasure of heart longings being experienced are instead filled with difficulty and pain. We vow to stay true to our faith, but we suffer with our basic desires being unfulfilled.
Here’s the point, life in Christ was never intended to be lived as a besieged soul. Tortuously waiting out a deliverer. There is fullness of joy and pleasure evermore available in God’s right hand. He wants to fascinate us. He wants to exhilarate our hearts.
So He has built into our lives, our beings, some longings that if we will seek to fulfill them in Him, we will experience the fullest, most intimate, most joyful life ever imaginable. He will lead us to Himself, and He will give us the desires of our heart, because He put them there in the first place.
So really, what’s on your Christmas list? What do you really want for Christmas? What does your heart crave for? Long for? Desire so much that it aches?
I think I know, and the gifts are already available to us. And as we unwrap each one over the next few weeks, it is my prayer for my life and for your life that we will open them, embrace them, and find all we have ever wanted right in front of us. Let’s pray.
