Ecclesiastes 3:11 (GW) It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time. He has put a sense of eternity in people’s minds. Yet, mortals still can’t grasp what God is doing from the beginning to the end of time.
Have you ever really “craved” something? You know what I’m talking about right? You want something and the craving is so intense yet, you just can’t put your finger on what it you want. Perhaps it’s a food craving? My husband and I go through this around mid-day when we’re trying to figure out what we’re going to do for dinner. Perhaps you have the same conversation with your spouse…it goes something like this:
(your spouse calls you from the office) Spouse: Hi hon. What were you planning on making for dinner tonight?
You: I’m not sure. What are you craving tonight?
Spouse: I don’t know…something. I just don’t want the same ol’ thing we have every week. We need something (slight pause in his voice) different.
You: Different. Okay (that was a big help you think to yourself) like what?
Spouse: I don’t know. I just want something different.
So there it is. We both have a craving for something but have no clue how to “satisfy” that craving. Are we craving a salad, pasta, red meat, chicken, potato and ham casserole loaded with lots and lots of melted cheese , or perhaps something with loads of melted cheese? (Hey, I might be on to something here.) Some days we go round and round. Sometimes the cravings are satisfied and sometimes they’re not.
Maybe it’s not a dinner craving for you. Maybe you’ve gone through life craving something “more” and in your quest to fill the void you’ve fallen into an addiction to gambling, shopping, porn, infidelity, alcohol or drugs.
Maybe you go from relationship to relationship trying to find that “perfect” someone who fill your deepest longing. But the truth is, I bet you’ve never found the “one” who can fill that deep dark longing because wasn’t there was just that one thing about them that wasn’t right?
The truth is we will NEVER be satisfied this side of heaven because God has put “eternity in our minds.” Absolutely nothing on this earth, pleasure or pursuit, will ever truly satisfy our deepest craving.
Why, you ask? The answer is found in the very first chapter of Genesis. Genesis 1:26 (NCV) “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness (emphasis mine).” We were created in the image and likeness of God. Because of this, we have a spiritual thirst (craving). Nothing but an eternal God can satisfy this thirst. A sense of eternity has been placed in our hearts. To enter into God’s perfect heaven we must confess our sin and recognize our need for a Savior. God wants all of us to spend eternity with Him. John 3:16 (GW) confirms this truth:
God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. (emphasis mine)
If you have not yet accepted Christ as your Savior, I encourage you to settle this issue in your heart today (see prayer below). Only Christ can satisfy our deepest craving.
God, I know you’ve given me a craving for eternity that only you can fill. I realize now that I’ve sinned and have not lived a life that pleases you. Will you forgive my sin and give me a fresh start today? Jesus I believe you died and paid the penalty for my sin so that I can live with you forever. Come into my heart today and be Lord of my life. Thank you, Lord, for giving me new life in you. In the days ahead, help me to know and grow in you. Place people in my life who will continue to point me to you. Thank you in advance for things that you’re going to do in me and through me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
You have to imagine that she was beating herself up for the mistake she made. She was probably afraid of this angry mob and trying to find the strength to face whatever was going to happen next. There she stood next to Jesus, totally exposed, wondering “could this be the Teacher that has performed miracles??? There is something different about him. I know he can help me.”
Awesome isn’t it. He knows what happened and will judge me accordingly. I know I’ve been falsely accused of a few things by so called friends. The things they accused me of never happened. My name was thrown around at backyard cookouts and other social gatherings like I was the bad guy. As the rumor-mill began to churn, I admit I allowed things like anxiety and anger to build up inside. I held onto these things and then allowed myself to get “bogged” down in worthless chatter with other people. What I failed to do was run to God when I was first falsely accused. He would have given me strength to face my accuser, the words to say (if any) and the courage to listen the truth instead of the lies being spewed.
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