Where does your heart long for?
When you dream of the most beautiful, perfect place to be in this world, where does your heart long for?
Is it a white sandy beach, a mountaintop experience, or in the arms of a true love? Perhaps, it is somewhere alive with people such as Time Square, Main Street U.S.A. Disneyland, or laughing with friends?
What makes this place or person so special? Is there a memory of intimacy, a reflection of a joyful time or a place that brought healing during a difficult journey? Was it a happiness you had never felt before? Again, what was the feeling that captivated your heart?
As I reflected on the place I long for, I can see how this place has changed over the years. In my younger day, Main Street USA would have captured my heart. The happiness in the “happiest place on earth” was exhilarating. As my family grew and friendships blossomed, enjoying a beautiful meal full of love and laughter would be the place I long for.
The last few years, this longing has dramatically shifted.
I long to be by Jesus. As I read the story of Mary of Bethany sitting at the feet of Jesus, my heart longs for this! When John the beloved writes in reflection the story of Mary pouring the perfume on Jesus’ feet,
John12:3 “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
This had to be a moment John and Mary never forgot. The beauty of Jesus and the beautiful aroma filling the home and their hearts. Oh, to be there!
I imagine the disciples walking arm in arm down dusty roads to minister, but loving every moment they had Jesus to themselves before the crowds came bursting in.
The sick and hurting people who received words of life from the Word. How many times did they share their story about a beautiful Jesus who made them whole again, was this the memory their heart longed for?
What about the woman at the well, was this the place she long for, as she replayed her conversation with Jesus, remembering the love shown to her that day?
Sometimes I don’t know what to do with such a strong longing.
It is so powerful. I look forward to my times where I can shut everything out and talk with Him. I want to walk with him, feel his peace and follow his steps. My heart longs for Jesus.
Some of the most beautiful memories scripture records are when Jesus calls someone by their name. I imagine Jesus saying their name in such a way that spoke “I know you” and “I love you”. I love that He still speaks our name today. He knows your name! You are the one Jesus longs for. He longs to walk with you. He longs to talk with you and share the dreams of your heart.
Sweet friend, I encourage you today to begin walking with him. You may have an empty longing in your heart, trying to fill it with other things…that longing no longer has to be empty. Jesus desires to fill your longing with a love that will bring the peace, rest, healing, contentment that your heart longs for!
