Way #37 – Could Unmet Longings Be A Great Gift

Do you ever wonder what to do with your unmet longings?

Sometimes I don’t even know what I’m wanting or longing for.

On more than one occasion, I’ve told God: “I want more.” With the admission came a mixture of guilt and relief. Guilt that I would even want more, because I have so much. Relief that I’d admitted it and could now talk to God (and maybe others) about it.

What is the source of our unmet longings? Sometimes they’re rooted in greediness or dissatisfaction because we’re seeking fulfillment in things that can’t give it. Sometimes they’re the result of God stirring in us, making us restless so we’ll seek Him for more…be more willing to take what He wants to give.

Unmet longings exist for many reasons — a loss, loss of hope…but ultimately they are a beautiful reminder that:

“This world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Hebrews 13:14)

“For God has set eternity in the hearts of the men.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Unmet longings are an indication that God made you for more, to want more than this life offers. It’s a call to live according to a greater reality than what we see and feel in this life. Consider how the Message Bible states 1 Peter 2:11:

“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.”

Because this world is not our home, we’re not to “indulge our ego at the expense of our soul.” That’s a strong statement. What does that speak to you? It’s possible that some, maybe many, of our unmet longings are rooted in wanting to satisfy our ego — what we want, when we want it, for all the many reasons we want to have it. And this is all at the expense of pleasing God by aligning our soul (our mind, will and emotions) with His Spirit and will. God sees the bigger picture:

“Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when He arrives.“ (1 Peter 2:12 MSG)

Having come to earth from heaven, Jesus knew with certainty that this world was not His home. He lived fully present in this life, fully enjoying and thankful for it. But Jesus also lived without ever losing sight of the greater reality: Heaven is better. Heaven is what your heart really longs for. What if we lived like that too? What if we used this season of Advent, a celebration of Jesus’ first coming, to begin ordering our lives for His second coming? Join me in practicing Way #37 of 52 Ways to Glorify God:

Live this life in preparation for the next life.

To this end, be greatly encouraged by a poem written by C.T. Studd (1860-1931). He was a missionary and cricket player. A combination that speaks to the truth that whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Only One Life

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgment seat;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,

Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave,

And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill,

living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me, Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,

And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call,

I know I’ll say “’twas worth it all”;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

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