"We need to be able to experience wonder and awe in order to function emotionally. The power to be deeply moved is something we all long for."
I saw this picture of Lili posted on Facebook and thought of this longing. She is so fascinated by that rock! What a great reminder that we are all born with a longing to see beauty, mystery, and splendor. Each one of us is invited on a life-long treasure hunt to search for beauty that creates holy curiosity that knows no boredom. There is nothing more exhilarating than when God reveals God to the human spirit!
(I am so fascinated by this picture of Lili. Look at her cute little ears, her bright red lips, and her dark eyelashes that make her look like she is wearing mascara. Such a beautiful creature! Made in the image of God Himself!)
2. The longing to possess beauty and to feel beautiful
"God's beauty is transferable to us in the highest measure. This longing is satisfied by the revelation of the Divine beauty imparted to us, His children."
3. The longing to be great and successful
4. The longing for intimacy without shame
5. The longing for the assurance of being enjoyed
6. The longing to be wholehearted and passionate
7. The longing to make a deep and lasting impact
--from The Ravished Heart of God by Mike Bickle
5 comments:
Beautifully written.
K
What a beautiful description of this gorgeous little Being.
K
It's possible that the longing to be fascinated and the longing for beauty come from the left and right sides of the brain.
Our intellect/intelligence/left side of the brain requires stimulus, which comes from learning information, mathematics, languages, music. As the brain learns, its capacity increases.
The longing for beauty may come from the right side of the brain, whch houses our creativity, our need to experience/feel what we have learned or are learning and our need to create something that is uniquely us ... something that says, "I was here; I made a contribution." This is our 'heart'.
Another possibility is that both of the longings are lodged in survivial. Learning information allows for physical survival. Experiencing what others create and what "I" create, allows for a lineage of some type.
...just possibilities -- what do you think?
... and perhaps the need for survival fulfillment is where 'transcendence' either occurs or doesn't occur. If it does occur, one is filled so 'need' is transformed. If it doesn't occur, the constant movement toward need fulfillment becomes survival.
Again, possibilities for dialogue.
K
I love your insights! When I looked up the meaning of "longing" I was kind of surprised that it took the turn that spoke of never getting something that you want. I have never thought of it that way, but it makes sense. Unless that longing is transformed, it just becomes something you keep searching for and these things can turn you into a very needy person.
Culture has a lot to do with the way we seek to get these longings met. I think especially in #2--the longing to possess beauty...
As a culture, we are obsessed with physical appearance and vanity. I recently read this story about a young woman from Austin who was hit by a drunk driver and had severe burns. She lost her nose, her eyes, her hair, her eyelids, her fingers, etc. and yet the transformation of her heart through this trial has shown what true beauty really is.
I have studied these 7 longings off and on for a few years. It is good to come back to them once in a while and look at the transformations that I hope are happening. Maybe that is the biggest longing of all: transcendence.
Thank you for your insights!
Love you--
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