As we journey through life, we sometimes forget our eternal destiny. To make the most of our lives, we keep busy trying to fit in all that we can – unfocused on what truly matters.
Try as we may to avoid it, a little voice speaks to overcome the noise and the commotion all around us, tapping on the door of our hearts for some attention. We often miss it, or if we do happen to hear it, we mistake it for an invitation to look for the next thing or event to amuse and distract us. Our good God is vying for our time, and we miss countless opportunities.
This desire that we relentlessly try to fill, with work, fun, stuff, accomplishments and the likes, is really a desire for God. In paragraph 27 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church it states:
The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to Himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for:
The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. This invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if man exists, it is because God has created him through love, and through love continues to hold him in existence. He cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and entrusts himself to his creator.
Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve walked with God. They heard His voice and cherished their time together. When man sinned and heaven’s door was closed to us, God did not desert man, but promised to send a Savior to open paradise to us once more. Heaven and union with God is our eternal destination and the deepest longing of our hearts. God continues to reach out to us, day in and day out. Although we have been wounded by original sin and hearing the voice of God is difficult for us, with the grace that Christ has merited and our own cooperation, it is not impossible.
When that empty feeling begins to surface, take notice. Stop if you can, and speak to God. Ask Him to fill that spot in your heart that is meant for Him. Even on our very best days, the feeling of joy leaves and that emptiness returns, sooner or later.
We were made for God and heaven. This world will never satisfy our deepest longings: our need to be loved, to belong, to be free, to be happy. We long for a world without disappointments or regrets – a place where all people get along – no hatred exists – only love. We desire a world without dissension or war – where we truly feel “at home” -- like never before!
If God is not a priority for you, make Him one. If He is, remind yourself when “that feeling” comes along to commune with Him. Picture heaven in your mind when your life becomes difficult – turn to God and tell Him all that is in the deep recesses of your heart. He wants to hear from you and longs for your love. God did not want us to suffer and waits to soothe our wounded hearts of all pain. He wants us to be with Him in heaven one day where “He will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away. Behold, I make all things new” (Rv 21 vs 4, 5a).
God’s deepest desire is to love us, receive our love and one day, to welcome us home. Let it be yours as well!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Homecoming
The spirit, newly freed from earth, is all amazed at the surprise of her belonging:
Suddenly as native to eternity – to see herself,
To realize the heritage that lets her be at home where all this glory lies.
By naught foretold could she have guessed such welcome home:
The robe, the ring, the banqueting,
These people hers, this place of rest,
known,
As of long remembering
Herself a child of God
And pressed with warm endearments to His breast.
by Jessica Powers
Thank you Avia Joy, I think we always need a gentle reminder that the void that we feel is ALWAYS God calling us to love Him and spend some time in His presence physically or spiritually.
ReplyDelete