There are things we want so desperately in life.

Minutes turn to hours –
Hours turn to days –
Days to weeks –
then years and decades …

Tick tock. Tick tock. Still, we wait!

Will the desires of our hearts ever be fulfilled? We ask the agonizing question again and again, “How long?” We believe that no one else has endured so long for promises and dreams to be fulfilled. Have we forgotten that Someone has been waiting over 2,000 years? Jesus is longing, yearning, even aching for the day when we will be one with Him.

“Father, I desire that they … may be with Me where I am …”  – John 17: 24

We haven’t begun to touch the depth of pain our Bridegroom feels as He eagerly anticipates returning to claim His Bride! This ache in our hearts will only be quenched once we are united with God for all eternity. This is why we must loose our grasp on the temporary pleasures of this earthly life: the ideal job, that big promotion, our dream vacation, the perfect spouse, a legacy imparted to the next generation, whatever the desire may be. Out of everything you ever think you want in life you’ll find that God is the only One that ever really satisfies. Jesus is ALL. He’s everything. He is the Desire of Nations, and He is our Jealous Husband.

“For jealousy is a husband’s fury …” – Proverbs 6:34

Every time I try to chase after another “lover” the Lord hedges me in and blocks my path so that I cannot find my way. We can pursue other pleasures, but we will not find satisfaction. When other things in life become idols, He destroys them. Our Beloved removes everything that hinders love, including anything that competes with our affections for Him! In doing all kinds of things to fashion the life we want, somehow we end up forgetting the Lord. And so, He lovingly allures us into the wilderness. In this place of barrenness we discover that the intimacy we had with Him at first was better than our current striving to attain earthly desires. But it is in the midst of this troublesome valley that He speaks comfort and gives us a door of hope (Hos. 2:5-19). When we reach this place – when we forsake every other longing and return to our “first husband” – we enter into fullness of joy and eternal pleasure in His presence (Ps. 16:11).

Why do we struggle with our Maker? How can the clay say to the Potter, “What are you making?” (Is. 45:9). We can’t always make sense of our circumstances, but His ways are higher and wiser than ours (Is. 55:9). His leadership is perfect.

God does want us to dream, hope, and plan, but He commands that we love Him first and most, that we don’t chase after everything the pagans run after, and that we seek first His kingdom by returning to our first love (Matt. 22:37-38; 6:32-33, Rev. 2:4, Hos. 2:7).

I so easily obsess about my heart’s desires and attempt arranging however I can to fulfill them (Journey of Desire by John Eldridge). I have to constantly remind myself to put God first as I make my declaration to Him, “Earth has nothing I desire besides You” (Ps. 75:23). My constant confession is becoming, “Jesus, I love You more than the desires of my heart.”

I may get temporarily sidetracked, but I am lovesick for God and longing for Eden – the day when He will make all things new as it was when He created the Garden, restoring heaven and earth to His original design. Truly, I am homesick for eternity. I am just a stranger wandering about. This earth is not my home. I am on a pilgrimage to a heavenly home, the eternal city whose builder and Maker is God (Heb. 11:10, 13-16). This is my destiny. I know it well though my heart and flesh may fail. Whenever I get preoccupied with the minute details of this brief journey my Beloved reminds me that He is the strength of my life and my portion forever (Ps. 73:26). His grace is sufficient for me. His power is perfected in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). Nothing else in this life brings true satisfaction. The Lord is my exceedingly great reward (Gen. 15:1). God alone can fill my heart with eternal joy!

Our Father loves to give good gifts to His children, and He will give us the desires of our hearts, but we must first delight ourselves in Him.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

Think about the things you are longing for in business, finances, relationships, and other arenas of life. Now consider your desire for Jesus. Which is more important? For real!

“Your love is better than wine.” – Song of Solomon 1:2

“Because your love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” – Psalm 63:3

If you wish for temporary fulfillment more than eternal, take a moment to repent and invite the Lord to transform your heart. Through the power of His Spirit you will be able to say to your Beloved, “I love You more!” Even if you are not convinced keep professing this and it will become so. Regardless of how the events of our lives play out, let us delight in Jesus. His love is better than life.

When our Bridegroom comes, may He find us longing for Eternity!

– Chérie Blair