Lord, all my desire is before Thee; and my sighing is not hid from Thee. Psalm 38:9
In this chapter, Rinehart describes how we are "painfully incomplete." Our heart is a bundle of "longings, and desires.....holes in our soul....The holes are the places God has reserved in us for Himself. The longings identify our real hunger. A hunger that drives us to Him to be satisfied."
When the word desire is mentioned, often one thinks of the wrong kind of desire. Desire can lead us to worldly things, but it can also lead us to God. So not all desire is bad. We were created as passionate beings by a passionate God. "The majestic power of God that made the heavens and formed the earth, also reaches into the core of our being and shapes our very spirit."
As Zechariah said, "Thus declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him."
That really spoke to me. The same God who is also the Creator of the universe, maker all things, giver of life......formed my very spirit! Often I feel guilty for spending time creating things, crafting, sewing. painting, scrapbooking etc, and feel like I should be doing something more "spiritual." But God put those inside of me. He made me in His image, a creative being. The only time my desire for these things would be wrong is when I place them above Him. In that case, they would have become an idol.
Rinehart also explains how some people give up, and are even encouraged to give up, their desires, and part of their "soul goes to sleep." Then her next few statements wowed me! "When we are wholly His we will be more ourselves than ever." (She actually quoted that one from C.S. Lewis). "It is the definition of joy to be able to offer back to God the essence of what He's placed in you, be that creativity or a love of ideas or a compassionate heart or the gift of hospitality."
There is also desire that leads us away from God and causes pain. One example she uses is the desire to run off with the postman. I think you can see the difference. Desires that lead us to God, and those that take us away. She goes on to tell us how we deal with these desires......
I could go on and on again with this chapter, but I'll keep it short and allow you to read the rest (this is only from the first couple of pages! haha). It is deep and has a lot of information.....I think I'm going to go read it again...... :)
What stood out to you or spoke to you in this chapter?
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Have a FANTASTIC day!!!
XO
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2 friends had this to say:
SHELLY YOU ARE SPEAKING GOD's VOICE TO ME....you added that Rinehart also explains how some people give up, and are even encouraged to give up, their desires, and part of their "soul goes to sleep." This poem rose up out of me....
MY SOUL
Oh my soul
that slumbers and sleeps
awake, arise
and devise ways to stay alert
Oh my soul
that longs from the deep
come up, come up
live above the seas
that have drowned you
that have causes you to wane
let go of the fears that speak your name
those fears that snide and chide
and cheer, making a clamour
while you run and hide your tears
Oh my soul
where have you gone
take courage
take courage
night is almost done
arise with the morning
standing full in the light
let it fill you up entirely
and be reborn, be alert, alive.
Starla! I love it! Keep stirring yourself up! Don't allow your soul to go to sleep :) God's plans are greater than you can imagine!
XO
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