2.10.2013

On Love, Lust, & Longing



(photo found on Tumblr)

"I turned around and so many guys and girls were making out with each other, it was awesome. I was SO. HAPPY." - Heard recently while walking to a study room in my building. (Literally, I heard this as I was about to open the door to the room where I am writing this blog #notacoincidence)  What's wrong with our society, one might ask? The notion that spontaneous manifestations of lust are equivalent to substantial love. I cannot presently recall a moment where I've heard a similar statement, but I honestly see similar sentiments in everyday life, especially on a college campus.

I just got back from a Reality LA service that discussed the empty promises of sexual relationships outside of biblical marriage, and it's perfect timing. It's February, Valentine's month, as well as a painstakingly clear Singleness Awareness Season. The rise of relationships, "it's complicated" friendships and random  hookups seem to spark around this time, as we are all reminded of the human need for love and interpersonal intimacy. But as soon as the clock strikes midnight and it becomes February 15th in a few days, it's so easy to hide the broken vulnerability displayed all around us and nurse wounded hearts in secret, ashamed silence.

Fortunately I---we--are not left without God's comfort and truth when faced with problems of a desire for love. The Bible says "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) A note about this passage that I look forward to is the fact that when you delight yourself in the Lord, HE becomes the desire of your heart, and there's no shortage of Him giving you Himself.

 I've also encountered beautiful, Godly relationships that were so...refreshing to see.  I felt the Spirit telling me that that kind of love is in store for those who wait upon the Lord. Who wait with a purpose--and our purpose is forever to use what He's given us to glorify Him, and spread the eternal love. This might have been one of the first times I didn't feel jealous or ask God "Where is MINE?" Seeing two people who God directed to be together in His own timing, and seeing how beautiful it is--all I could do was thank God for their relationship and pray that they would stay strong and be lights of truth in our dark and fallen world.

Even now, I'm feeling my heart's longing to be in His presence, so I have to end this post on this note: God sees what we want, and He knows what we need, and He knows how to illustrate your life in such a way that when these two things are presented to you in a Godly package, it's ever the more beautiful. 

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." -Matthew 6:33

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

“You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, LORD, do I seek.’”  Psalm 27:8

Want wisdom from a woman who's been through it? http://blog.alyssajoy.me/?p=684

I suggest meditating on these truths to "You Are for Me" by Kari Jobe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbSMfL5LuSo