Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Longing for Him...




"Why do our days seem so unimportant, filled not with romance and adventurebut with duties and demands? We feel unseen, even by those who are closest tous. We feel unsought--that no one has the passion or the courage to pursue us, to get past our messiness to find the woman deep inside. And we feeluncertain--uncertain what it even means to be a woman; uncertain what it trulymeans to be feminine; uncertain if we are or will ever be...And in all theexhortations we have missed the most important thing of all. We have missed the heart of a woman. “Quote taken from: "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge


I didn’t think I was going to get the chance to participate in this week’s “In Other Words”, because I was really pressed for time today. However, after reading this quote, I knew I could not resist the opportunity to jump in and share a few thoughts on this awesome quote.

First, I want to recommend that if you have not had the chance to read any of John or Stasi Eldredge's books, you should check them out. They are awesome authors, and you are really missing out on some great reading. In fact, I think I’m going to do a “give a way” for one of their books on my 100th post. So stay tuned, it is getting close!

OK, back to the quote. I don’t think there is a woman out there that has not experienced the feeling of being “unimportant,” or living a life without “romance and adventure!” Most of us, and I dare say all of us; have experienced these types of feelings at some point.


This is not new, and I believe the lies and deception started early on with the first woman. In the beginning, everything was wonderful as she and her husband Adam lived in the garden. They enjoyed fellowship with each other and with God. There was no sin. This beautiful fairy tale all came to an abrupt end when Satan spoke to Eve and sadly, she listened to him.

The deception began at that most unfortunate moment, and has continued to threaten and bombard every woman from then on. In the book, Lies Women Believe, Nancy Leigh DeMoss quotes a Puritan pastor named Thomas Brook who said,


“Satan promises the best, but pays the worse; he promises honor, and pays with disgrace, he promises pleasure, and pays with pain, he promises profit, and pays with loss, he promises life, and pays with death”.

There is nothing wrong with desiring to feel important, loved and to experience romance and adventure. In some way, we probably all dream and long for this daily. However, to what expense will we go to try to obtain this dream? Will demanding it from our husbands give it to us? Will listening to all the lure of the TV, magazines, best sellers, and the top ten hit songs be the bait we fall for? Will we allow friends, who are not walking close to God, to give us advice? The serpent is still telling lies. Are we still listening?



No matter what the source, or how it comes to us, it will always be subtle, and deceptive. Philosophies of man will foster feelings of discontent and self-pity. If what we hear is not consistent with God’s Word, we can be sure that the source of these thoughts is the "father of lies,” and he has only one objective - "to kill, steal, and destroy.” Satan is trying to deceive, but we have the Spirit of Truth, and He will lead us and guide us if we only follow.


I pray that we would not be so consumed with our immediate happiness, but rather, that we would be passionately longing for holiness and truth. That finding the heart God and embracing His desires and will for our lives will take first place. Did Jesus not say, "Seek first the Kingdom of God...and all these things will be added unto you"? This in my mind is where true contentment and peace will be found.


I pray that you will find your true contentment in Christ in your womanhood and He gives you the disires of your hearts. If you would like to see what other's are saying about this quote please take a minute and visit AS GOLD REFINED. Thanks so much for stopping by today!


5 comments:

Tami said...

I'm with you, Susan. I LOVE this book and others written by the Edgredges.

You make a good point about pressing on in the mundane and doing what is right and seeking God first. It reminds me of Psalm 37:4.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of the heart.

lori said...

Susan,
JUST last night I heard this said of Satan...he'll offer everything, like he did to Jesus in the desert...because he just doesn't care...just like a child who REALLLLLLY wants something and is willing to just say anything to get what they want..just like satan to do and say all those things, because he just doesn't care....
when will we believe it ourselves???
you know I've said it time and time again...I'm always blessed when I come here!
wonderfully blessed! thanks!
lori

Unknown said...

Beautifully stated. Thank you for sharing your heart.

Blessings.

NYC said...

Satan is an expert at selling us a bill of goods. But praise God that He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.

Anonymous said...

Ah sweet Susan! Your thoughts were like a stream in the desert for this weary traveler. Thanks for sharing your heart and for letting Him use you in so many wonderful ways. You are always so on target!