“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” - C.S. Lewis
What is a Longing?
A longing is an ache of the heart. It is a cavity of the spirit crying to be filled..., spanning the gap between emotion and genuine need. It is an intangible feeling that ebbs and flows, yet it is a concrete reality. It cannot be reasoned with, negated or dismissed. If not attended to, it will overtake us. One way or another, whether legitimately or illegitimately, a human longing will be filled. It must be.
As I have observed people and studied the Scriptures, I have identified seven longings that are found in every human heart. These longings are universal and give us insight into the way God designed us. We have cravings built into our spirit as an integral part of our divine design. These cravings reveal the genius of the Creator, who placed these longings in us to reflect His own personality and guide us to—and back to—Him. We are made in His image, and He intentionally planted longings deep within our hearts that only He can fill. He hard-wired us to need, to want, and to find our satisfaction in Him and Him alone... God’s design—both brilliant and diligent—is evidence that He is a jealous God who does not want us to be given over to any lesser pleasure. We were made for Him.
God created the human spirit with seven longings that draw us to Him and reflect His glory in us. Each longing is a reflection of God’s personality. We are made in His image; thus we have these longings that enable us to walk with Jesus as His eternal companion. These longings will be in us forever and give insight into how He created us. The enemy tempts us to satisfy these longings outside of God’s will.
We are longing for...
1. ENJOYMENT - to be enjoyed and to enjoy
Every person was created with a craving in their heart to be pursued, delighted in, and enjoyed, first by God and then by others.
"For whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights." (Prov. 3:12)
2. FASCINATION - to be fascinated and to fascinate
There is a craving in our spirit to be fascinated, to marvel, and be awestruck and filled with wonder.
"He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:14)
3. BEAUTY - to be seen as beautiful and to see beauty
Our beautiful God created us in such a way that we long to possess beauty—external and internal. The beauty that God possesses is the very beauty that He imparts to His people in His salvation!
"…to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning..." (Isaiah 61:3)
4. GREATNESS - to do great and meaningful things and to be recognized for it
The great God created us to be great. Therefore, we have a God-given desire for greatness and success.
"Whoever does and teaches them [God’s commands], he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19) …but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant." (Matthew 20:26)
5. INTIMACY (WITHOUT SHAME) - to be fully known and to fully know
We long for intimacy without shame in knowing and being known by God (Gal. 4:9; 1 Cor. 13:12). This close relationship with God involves a two-way knowing. He understands the secret aspects of our hearts and lives, which are unknown, unnoticed, and misunderstood by others.
"Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12) "I know My own, and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. (John 10:14-15)
6. WHOLEHEARTED LOVE - to be deeply loved and to deeply love
We long to give our deepest affection to God. Our passionate God empowers us to be passionate. We are to love God with all of our heart and strength because God loves us with all of His heart. And through the transforming love He imparts to us, He empowers us to love ourselves and others.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength... and... Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:30)
7. SIGNIFICANCE - to make deep and lasting impact and to be respected for it
God designed us to long to make a difference in the lives of others and to have a purpose that is significant to God, one that He esteems and remembers forever. We love to do and share things that cause others to be changed, helped, and filled with joy.
"Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." (Matthew 25:21)
Understanding Ourselves - Getting an understanding of the nature of these seven longings and God’s desire to be their sole fulfillment helps us understand both our struggle and our purpose in life in a whole new way. The longings are dynamically connected to who God is, and no amount of makeshift or false pleasures can compare with their ultimate fulfillment.
Understanding God - Each longing is a means by which we can understand God more deeply, just as it is an essential part of His beauty in our lives. The pleasures we gain when we allow God to fulfill our longings are eternal—they will last forever and ever.