God, hold us to that which drew us first,
when the cross was the attraction, and we wanted nothing else. ~ Amy Carmichael


Thursday, September 30, 2010

The endless ache


Do you ever ache for more? Deep in the pit of my soul, I know there must be more than this. Part of this "knowing" is that I truly believe we were each created for a greater, eternal purpose. That this world is not our ultimate destination and we're given just one lifetime here.


Yet, there is a longing in my heart that cries out for more right now, in this moment, with this breath. My life is full of many things, mostly good things, what many would call "godly" things. But lately I have been examining my life, my words, my motives, my actions. My conclusion is this- if it isn't God-glorifying, if it isn't pointing others to Christ, then why am I doing it?


I'm not talking about legalism here. I'm not trying to add another list of do's and dont's. I'm talking about living a Holy Spirit filled life. That as 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." So that whether I'm at church on Sunday morning or at work in the middle of the night or at a coffee shop with a friend, I'm doing it all to the glory of God. Not consumed with ME (when, lets face it, the life of a single person is often all about ME), but filled with Him.


My soul is thirsty and aching and filled with longing. Herein lies the answer: Isaiah 58:10-11;


"If you extend your soul to the hungry,

And satisfy the afflicted soul,

Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,

And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

The Lord will guide you continually,

And satisfy your soul in drought,

And strengthen your bones;

You shall be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."


O, Lord, I make my life a prayer to You. Teach me to walk in the Spirit, to hear a word behind me telling me to turn to the left of the right (Isaiah 30:21). Teach me to walk in the old paths. I don't want to waste this one life that You have given me. I don't want to waste another breath. May I be like a drink offering, poured out for You, O my King.