"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

12.10.2009

Is this all there is?



It is good to humbly realize that we are all of us poor, needy and parched with thirst.

Some of us are experiencing the reality of these in a very real physical way. These are hard times for a lot of us. But even those who have an abundance of material blessings experience the ache of "Is this all there is?" It might take them longer, because they are numb to the ache. The ache can be masked for a very long time, with things. From the outside in, my life looked perfect. But in the quiet I knew not all was as it should be. If we take a close enough look, we can see that things, or people or whatever we choose to chase the ache away does not do so completely. You see, we were created for a different kind of world and a different kind of life. We were created to have fellowship, a relationship with our creator and with each other. The world is not now as it should be. As good as it can be, it is not as good as it was meant to be. There is a scripture that God keeps bringing back to me again and again.

"My people are broken - shattered! And they put on band-aids, saying, "it's not so bad, you'll be just fine." But things are not 'just fine.! (Jer6:14 the message)

Christ is the life-giving water we so desperately need for the parched and dry deserts of our hearts and souls. The kind of life we were made for.

Advent reading for Thursday: Psalm 145:1-13; Isaiah 41:13-20; Matthew 11:7-15

Father open our eyes and our hearts to our poverty. Help us to stop filling the ache to ease the pain of it, which prevents us from asking the question, Why do we feel this? Help us to stop and look at what we do to mask the ache. Help us to turn to you to receive the thirst quenching water that only you can give. Amen.

8 comments:

Gabriella said...

Good reflection.

You are right. Only when we put our trust entirely on Jesus and follow His every word will we find peace of heart and stop aching.

"Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee" (St. Augustine)

Martha Lever said...

You are so right, Mar. We are citizens of another place.

The Charm House said...

Praise God through all things.... How would I make it daily without my faith that God is in control of all around me!
Love you,
Yvette

Poetic Artist said...

Mary,
Your words are so true..
I love the photo, it looks so homey..Is that a word? LOL..
Love,
Katelen

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Hi Mary! I giggled at your comment for me on my post this morning. You sound just like a buddy I would want to hang out with too.

Your post is so true. There is a void we have here on earth that cannot be filled, other than through Christ our Lord. When we turn to Him, intstead of the bandaid, true joy does replace the pain.

Thank you for the reminder to first go to Him instead of reaching for something that isn't going to help. You have a wonderful day!

Lee Ann

Unknown said...

I think your tree is lovely!

I really enjoyed reading your Advent reflections- thanks for sharing them.

Mollye said...

Thank you Mary for always stopping by and especially for your prayers for my grandson Andy. Love, Mollye

Anonymous said...

This is such a wonderful post. Thank you so much for sharing this one. Melts my heart!

Hugz!

Julie