Most people want to find that person who makes them whole, who gives them happiness and purpose. To quiet the painful longing inherent to the human heart.
You know how a certain kind of sadness can be better than feeling happy? That shiver down your spine when you hear an exquisite piece of music, the breathless lump in your throat that comes when you witness some kind of art that deeply resonates with you, the overwhelming emotion when you see a beautiful landscape, like a craggy cliff or an ocean. Or maybe that warm, almost nostalgic vibe you get when you somebody you love doesn’t know you’re watching them and then they do something so unbelievably “them.” These are just a few of the things that conjure up the inexplicable emotion that …show more content…
Whether we are consciously aware that we belong to God doesn’t change the fact that our souls call out to Him.
What does this have to do with longing? Simply this: When we experience something truly wonderful and good, our souls are reminded of the separation from that unity and communion we were created for. It brings to the heart’s mind the God that we’re meant for. It’s an invitation to seek Him out.
So instead of running from that ache, embrace it. Rather than looking for things or people to numb it, go looking for the things that will rip it open and expose it.
I mentioned earlier the people wanting to find someone to make them whole, to give them happiness and purpose. Well I can safely say I want the exact opposite of that. I don’t need happiness. I have my purpose. I want to find the ones who bring out that terrible longing, who make me nakedly aware of what I’m missing. I want as much of the sadness as I can get, I look for it as often as I can. It makes me feel more alive and aware of God’s presence. So far I’ve only been able to find it in art and nature, but I hold on to the hope that there are people out there, or a person. And those in turn will point towards Him. But maybe that’s just a fantasy, maybe what I’m looking for can’t be had here. It would be closest to that perfect life I strive for; and after all, as the Greek tragedian Euripides said, “It’s not for us to struggle after tiresome
You know how a certain kind of sadness can be better than feeling happy? That shiver down your spine when you hear an exquisite piece of music, the breathless lump in your throat that comes when you witness some kind of art that deeply resonates with you, the overwhelming emotion when you see a beautiful landscape, like a craggy cliff or an ocean. Or maybe that warm, almost nostalgic vibe you get when you somebody you love doesn’t know you’re watching them and then they do something so unbelievably “them.” These are just a few of the things that conjure up the inexplicable emotion that …show more content…
Whether we are consciously aware that we belong to God doesn’t change the fact that our souls call out to Him.
What does this have to do with longing? Simply this: When we experience something truly wonderful and good, our souls are reminded of the separation from that unity and communion we were created for. It brings to the heart’s mind the God that we’re meant for. It’s an invitation to seek Him out.
So instead of running from that ache, embrace it. Rather than looking for things or people to numb it, go looking for the things that will rip it open and expose it.
I mentioned earlier the people wanting to find someone to make them whole, to give them happiness and purpose. Well I can safely say I want the exact opposite of that. I don’t need happiness. I have my purpose. I want to find the ones who bring out that terrible longing, who make me nakedly aware of what I’m missing. I want as much of the sadness as I can get, I look for it as often as I can. It makes me feel more alive and aware of God’s presence. So far I’ve only been able to find it in art and nature, but I hold on to the hope that there are people out there, or a person. And those in turn will point towards Him. But maybe that’s just a fantasy, maybe what I’m looking for can’t be had here. It would be closest to that perfect life I strive for; and after all, as the Greek tragedian Euripides said, “It’s not for us to struggle after tiresome