“Craving hearts will never know satisfaction regardless how often or how much God provides.”
So tweeted my friend, Alicia Chole. I sat with her thought for a bit, knowing that her words are never casually written. Instead, she writes and lives from a deep well. After considering her contemplation, I probed her heart further with a tweet of my own:
“And so my question, how to rid oneself of the crave?”
Her response was what I expected . . . another probing truth that has captured my thoughts this rainy Tuesday afternoon. She writes:
“For me personally, one of the first steps is identifying my specific ‘address’ for interior contentment.”
Go ahead; sit with it all for a few minutes. Think about craving hearts and specific addresses. Think about satisfaction and interior contentment. Think about what it is you are craving and what specific ‘address’ is attached to that craving. And then, if you’re willing, ask yourself a question or two.
Does Jesus live in this place? Is this the home of his choosing?
If not, then, perhaps, a move is in store for you. Get to where to Jesus lives and watch your satisfaction grow—an inner soul-contentment no longer fueled by worldly provision but instead fueled by heaven’s dispensation.
Where are you parking your heart this day? It seems as if mine has been drifting as of late. I suppose I have a bit of Jonah inside of me, thoughts of Tarshish instead of Nineveh; thoughts of steering my own ship instead of taking a seat in God’s. A search . . . a craving that never knows a full measure of satisfaction, no matter how much or how often God’s provision rains down over me.
Today is a good day for a reroute. A right time to come home to Jesus, to live where he lives, and to drink from the cup that refreshes us both. I don’t want to finish this day unsatisfied, unfulfilled, and underwhelmed by the faith that I profess to believe. Instead, I want to finish this day firmly convinced and richly contented by the provision of a Father whose love for me knows no limits. Accordingly, I move toward Jesus. I park my heart at the front door of his heart, and I wait for this craving in me to let go . . . to die so that I might hold something better, something purer, something eternal that no longer empties me but, rather, frees me.
I invite you to come along, to join me at God’s address. There’s room enough at his table for us all. There’s grace enough to feed us as well. As always . . .
Peace for the journey,
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Wow. Another great spiritual consideration. Contentment is usually what squelchs my cravings. Funny, as soon as I become distracted it isn’t long to become disconnected from God and discontent thus craving all things other than Him.
Looking forward to being neighbors in Heaven with you, Elaine. I think we’re going to have LOTS to talk about.
. . . and laugh about! You’re one of my very favorite people in the entire world, Joanne. You make my life and this world a better place. I mean it!
Thank you thank you! I always come here and take away much needed truth for my day. Again you have reminded me where I should be!
I love chewing on the words you feed me sweet friend.
Right now, my address is in a desire to be part of, in small or great measure, bringing about a Third Great Awakening in America. I’m reading Joel Rosenberg’s book “Implosion” and in it he gives a brief overview of the two Great Awakenings that occured in America and the men who were prominent players. I’m overwhelmed by the need in our country and our world for a great move of the Holy Spirit. I want to be part of that….part of pointing people to Jesus before it is too late.
Me too, Leah. Sounds like a fascinating read. We’ve been doing some history work about the Great Awakening. This is a good focus for us all!
If I were to go where my craving has wanted to go, I’d be in trouble more than once. You offer great words to ponder. I want to crave God more than I crave anything else. I want Him to be my satisfaction so that wherever I am and in whatever situation, He is sufficient. My address will be …abiding in His presence.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
My inner contentment is definitely found at God’s address. And I am so glad He always has room for me at His table and grace enough to give me time and again. Home with Him — no better place to be!
Such a great post, Elaine. Makes me think of a couple of women I know who have serious shopping habits. Both profess to know God, but for now, their craving hearts take center stage. I pray God helps them in ways only He knows they need.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
Just read your hilarious story at the blog! I’ve known a few Booker and Verlene’s in my day! I just put a comment on facebook about not being able to do Christmas as usual anymore. A lot of it is connected to the pulse behind this post. Thanks for being here.
Powerful! It reminds me of a kindred question when it comes to filtering choices: “Is this blessable?”
With your mention of Alicia Chole also comes the memory of her having been our – your & my – common denominator. It was through her blog that we first met back in 2007.
I do remember, Sassy! How grateful I am for the connection.
Reminds me of St. Augustine’s prayer from which his “restless” quote is lifted…..”Great art Thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is Thy power, and of Thy wisdom there is no end. And man, being a part of Thy creation, desires to praise Thee, man, who bears about with him his mortality, the witness of his sin, even the witness that Thou “resistest the proud, ” – yet man, this part of Thy creation, desires to praise Thee. Thou movest us to delight in praising Thee; for Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee. Lord, teach me to know and understand which of these should be first, to call on Thee, or to praise Thee; and likewise to know Thee, or to call upon Thee.
Oh! how shall I find rest in Thee? Who will send Thee into my heart to inebriate it, that I may forget my woes, and embrace Thee my only good? What art Thou to me? Have compassion on me, that I may speak. What am I to Thee that Thou demandest my love, and unless I give it Thee art angry, and threatenest me with great sorrows? Is it, then, a light sorrow not to love Thee? Alas! alas! tell me of Thy compassion, O Lord my God, what Thou art to me. “Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.” So speak that I may hear. Behold, Lord, the ears of my heart are before Thee; open Thou them, and “say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.” When I hear, may I run and lay hold on Thee. Hide not Thy face from me. Let me die, lest I die, if only I may see Thy face.” St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions, 1,1.5
Moving to God’s address instead of the one where you thought you would be living is sometimes difficult, especially when it hurts so much. God’s plan for me now includes carrying the pain of losing my infant daughter only four hours after she was born. I am learning, slowly, to accept His plan and embrace it.
“I park my heart at the front door of his heart, and I wait for this craving in me to let go . . . to die so that I might hold something better, something purer, something eternal that no longer empties me but, rather, frees me.”
Amen.
Precious Sarah . . .
I hear the tender, raw ache of your heart. My thoughts are with you this morning. I pray that as you lean into Jesus in this grieving season, you’ll feel God’s deep love and comforting presence as you walk through these mellow days of mourning. Thank you for being here.
~elaine