LONGING FOR GOD’S PROVISION, DAY TWO

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Thursday, March 13th

It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them. ~ George Eliot

We know there’s more. We have a longing for eternity, and that longing is itself a longing for God who exists outside of time. ~ Jen Wilkin

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ~ Matthew 5:6 (NRSVUE)

Along with our physical provisions, we can also find ourselves longing for something more… We long for God to provide a peace of mind, a hopeful heart, or a joy-filled soul. We long for a deeper sense of sacred purpose, abiding trust, and eternal meaning. As George Eliot says, we long to “feel the beautiful and good” all around us in our daily living.

I realized my soul had been desperate for these spiritual provisions of God when Jim and I watched a recent episode of “Home Town Takeover.” In this series, many people work together to renovate a town, giving the community a much-needed fresh start. I started crying even as I watched the previews! The show helped my jaded soul to remember that goodness, kindness, and love will always remain.

God is ready to provide for our spiritual and emotional needs. Tending our souls is not being neglectful of the problems around us, and taking time for ourselves is not being selfish. We need such gifts as peace, hope, and joy in order to persevere as followers of Christ, to continue living and serving with God’s generous love. God may grace us with surprising moments of joy, peace, or hope, but we can also do mindful practices that foster our openness to the Spirit’s movement and enable us to be more receptive to these gifts of God.

This Lenten season, I am both refraining and replenishing. I am trying to refrain from purchasing anything except essentials (simplicity is a gift for my spirit) and, one day a week, refrain from looking at news stories and social media. And I am trying to replenish my soul–to open myself to God as I walk in nature, read a good book, listen to an inspirational podcast, light a candle, or write creatively.

What do you long for most today? What would put a song in your soul? How might you open yourself to receive more of the goodness of God? May your deepest longings be revealed and filled through the perfect provision of God.

Take care of you today, dear friends.

(Photo by Karen)