Live in the Longing

 

Closing the day standing still with the beginning of Advent. I’ve been in thought as the month of November has wound down and December has approached.  All around I’ve noted Christmas decorations appearing on homes; windows yielding views of Christmas trees; Christmas craft bazaars, programs and festivals are occurring; Christmas music playing; the noise of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales; and dates on calendars filling with seasonal happenings. Many feel anticipation growing, festiveness building, and Christmas mirth unfolding.  

There is a deeper feeling to be noted.  It lies behind the hurry, beyond the visible, below the joyful melodies, and beneath the merriment and amusement. It exists amidst the noise, the distractions, and the busyness of our minds and the world around us.  It persists in the depths of our hearts with growing tension.  It’s deeper than a wish or a desire. Pause – just for a moment.  Let yourself feel it.  Acknowledge it. Do you recognize it?

Longing.

A strong persistent yearning for something undefined or distant.

A languishing of the heart to be connected to that which is missing or to fill what is hollow.

Longing is a constant feeling for each of us.  For some it overwhelms and becomes despair.  For others, it becomes anxiety and fear.  Amidst the bitter parts of our earthly existence – pain, loneliness, grief, regret, conflict, weariness, disappointment, loss – we long for hope, for peace, for joy and for love. 

Here’s the thing…  It is during this ‘season’ of Christmas that the feeling of longing swells and becomes quite beautiful if you stand still with it. Because Christmas, the coming of Christ, meets our longing. It stops the languishing of our souls.  It ends our hearts’ yearning. It fills our emptiness. We see our hope become certainty.  We are given peace, that which is the abundance of God’s grace making us whole.  We know joy, inner delight in which we live unaffected by circumstance. We find love that is unconditional, given and made whole and complete through Christ’s coming and sacrifice.

During this year’s Advent, this time of “coming,” this time of “arrival,” I will live in the longing.  I will slow down and recognize my heart and soul’s sacred longing. I will pause and stand still in the hope, the peace, the joy and the love that Christmas, the coming of Christ, brings.  On Christmas I will celebrate the fulfillment of the longing of my soul and live life from that gift.  Join me? It is my prayer you will do the same.

May the God of HOPE fill you with ALL joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit. -  Romans 15:13

You will be secure, because there is HOPE; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. – Job 11:18

You will go out in JOY and be led forth in PEACE. – Isaiah 55:12

Do not grieve, for the JOY of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

For I am sure that neither death no life, nor angels, nor rulers, no things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

 

“Behold, I will do a new thing…”

 

Over the past year, and especially the last few months, life has changed. Transition in phases of life is happening. A new season of life moves forward. The next chapter is beginning.

There are endings… the kids are grown; the job has been left; and there were goodbyes.

There are beginnings…. the family grows; a new direction appears; new relationships form; new rhythms are established.

Changes and challenges come together.

What kind of transition is happening in your life? I posted this question and answers poured in:  

·  Starting a new job;

·       Graduated and don’t know what I really want to do – so many applications and interviews but having a hard time getting a call back;

·       Returning to being the person God fearfully and wonderfully made me to be;

·       Just purchased a new home and the move is crazy-new city, new schools, new job, new everything;

·       Still getting used to life without my husband – it’s not just the loss but navigating life;

·       Adjusting to being a working mom;

·       Having a body that is letting me down – a challenging diagnosis;

·       Trying to navigate the dynamics of a blended family;

·       Settling parent’s estate realizing I’m an orphan;

·       Still mourning the loss of my pup, he was a faithful companion;

·       Trying to find a way to calm conflict with my kids – our family has changed;

·       Recovering from a stroke and relearning how to just do life;

·       Realized I don’t really have friends – making and keeping friends shouldn’t be this hard at this stage of life- the loneliness can be overwhelming. 

Change in life is constant, a progression of our life journey that sometimes catches one off guard. Standing Still upon transition, looking the next chapter I realized that there is a hesitancy to start turning pages. The last chapter held many joys and sorrows; had a vast array of interesting, amazing, humbling, and very dear people; provided the opportunity to be a blessing and to be blessed by others; was a time in which I lost a bit of myself; affected the core of who I am; and quite honestly it was exhausting by the end. Beginning this next chapter and stepping into the unknown of this transition comes with many feelings—hesitation, uncertainty, excitement, anticipation…. perhaps a little anxiety.

Have you ever experienced hesitancy in the transition you are facing —you start, then pause, start, then pause—uncertain of what’s next yet so ready to move on and begin?

As I have been standing still there is a verse that seemingly is continually placed in front of me and I have had to be still, listen, open my mind and let it soak into my heart.

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it will spring forth. Do you not perceive it? I will make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19)

The Father is saying, “My child, turn your attention to what is before you and take action.  I Myself, the One who intentionally created you; the One who placed the stars and made all things; the One who has been steadfast and faithful; the One who quieted the storm; the One who has kept all His promises; the One who gives blessed assurance – will provide for you what I have appointed. It’s starting now – no waiting. It is sprouting and will grow. Be aware. Acknowledge things are changing and know I’m doing something fresh, to renew.  It will be different and better than where you have been. Looking at all that is unfolding, know I will make a path through the chaos, the anxiety, and the uncertainty.  In the midst of this, I am providing for you.”

Perhaps the Father is whispering to you in the midst of transition. In the midst of your transition or circumstance, may you begin to perceive the new thing the Father is doing for you, in you and through you. May you find assurance and strength as the ‘road in the wilderness’ is laid before you.  May you trust in the Father’s faithfulness as He provides all you need as you begin this new chapter and throughout.  And may you rest and abide in His love.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)