What do we do with longings?   No really, what does the Christian do with unfulfilled dreams?  After all, the Bible says we’re to be content with what we have.

“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we can’t take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6–8)

Okay, I’m guilty!  I’m not content with just food and clothing.  I want my dreams - my hopes to be fulfilled and my prayers to be answered.  They cling to me like a shirt I just shrunk in the dryer. (Which happens often) So am I in the wrong?  No, I’m normal, I’m human. 

Hey, the Bible’s filled with stories of deep longing.  Abraham and Sarah longed for a child of their own, as did Rachel, Hannah and Elizabeth.  Job longed to be rid of suffering.  David longed for God to rid him of his enemies. And get this, in His high priestly prayer, Christ expressed His longing for us to be with Him always (John 17:24).

The truth is, if we didn’t have longings, we wouldn’t long for God.  We’d never seek for the satisfaction of God’s perfect presence.  How sad that would be, when in His presence dwells the absolute fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).   Here’s the thing, Our Longings Keep Us Longing.  They drive us to pray and seek the Father. They put us on our knees and humble us. The problem comes when we let the unfulfilled dreams in our hearts be the only thing we’re willing to look at.  I used to think contentment was something I could conjure up.  Just try a little harder.  But Scripture tells me contentment is the result of seeking Christ above all else. Chasing God and worshipping in the wait despite our circumstances. Trusting that God is still writing the story. 

2 Chronicles 20:20 says, “Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe His prophets, and you will succeed.”  There’s nothing more fulfilling than abiding in Christ (John 15:11).

The question is are we willing to believe that?  Are we willing to seek the One who is not bound by anything, who created us and knows us better than we know ourselves, and who can fill us with a satisfaction like nothing else can.  If we bravely believe that He is enough, contentment will find you, even as you long for more.