“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.'” John 4:13-14a (NLT)
Longing
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”
Psalm 42:1 (NLT)
For as long as I can remember I’ve been drawn to the water. Stream, river, pond, lake, or ocean, it doesn’t matter. The truth be told, I’ve even been known to seek out a puddle after the rain to satisfy the persistent longing I feel.
Have you felt it too? That unoccupied space somewhere deep within and leaves you wanting?
How we seek to fill that void is different for each of us and we need to be careful because we’re vulnerable to looking in the wrong places and at the wrong things to rid ourselves of the emptiness.
While there’s nothing wrong with a desire for the peace, contentment, and refuge I find near water (replace this with your own version), do I, do you, so long for what God provides in the same way? The Psalmist says, just like a deer thirsts for a drink of water, his soul thirsts for God. Are we seeking God to satisfy our longings as much or even more than we do earthly solutions?
Here’s what I’m learning about longing:
The more we go to God with our emptiness for His fulfillment, the less we desire those things we’ve attempted to use on our own. Do you have a depleted, parched soul? I know it happens to me. Before we plan to do something about it, let’s remember to “so” long for God’s refreshment first, letting Him be the biggest desire of our heart.
I love water! One of my favorite things to do is to go puddle stomping after a good rain. Water in large quantities scares me just a bit (ocean, raging river, etc). I want to be like the deer–longing for God above all else.
I love the water, too. Here in the midwest, I go to the lake whenever possible. Weather and packed schedule make it where the trips are not nearly as often as I would like!
But when I do go, I try to be silent and listen for God’s voice.
Oh, Jerralea I am envious of your ability to go to the lake often! I am like you in that I also sit and listen for God’s voice while I’m by the water. It is a true gift! Thanks so much for taking your time to comment. It is also a gift to me!
I really like the photo you chose to accompany this – it captures the longing well. Very good point about not looking to other things to fulfill the longing we have for God.
Kym, I could have sat there all day! I felt such peace! This is a lesson I’m still learning but an important one. Especially today when so much “stuff” is available to for us to try and use to fill up! I am grateful for you taking the time to comment. It means a lot to me!
Being by the water is so relaxing
I think so too Barb! I feel as if I can breathe when I am near it! I appreciate you stopping in. It is a blessing to me!
Beautifully written. I felt that longing you were describing as I was reading it.
Thank you Laurie. I’ve often wondered why God put a gal with a longing for water in the mountains but maybe it’s to learn what I should truly be longing for? Thank you so much for taking time to stop by. It is a gift to me!