Longing for Something, Part 1

We’re all longing for something. No matter what we have or how happy we feel, we probably still have an ache, a yearning deep in our hearts for…something. Sure, we may not verbalize this all the time, and maybe we haven’t even stopped to think much about it. After all, it’s just part of the human condition, right? Well, yes and no. I’d like to use the next two posts to look at this topic of longing, so I hope you’ll come along with me!

Longing for Other Things

Lately I’ve been spending some time in Romans 8. That’s the mid-point chapter of a really dense and wonderful book in the New Testament, but it doesn’t feel like mid-point content. In fact, if feels like the grand finale of fireworks, the crescendo at the end of a musical masterpiece, the absolutely-perfect last bite of pie. (Yes, those are in ascending order of importance to me.) The chapter ends in a cascading fountain of glorious reassurance, but the majority of the chapter before it focuses not on completion but on longing.

But longing for what? I mentioned earlier that we’re all longing for something, and maybe you knew exactly what I was talking about. Maybe you could immediately pinpoint something you desire, something you ache for: a relationship, a healing, a change. These are longings that we’ve all had at different times, and they can be very strong, but I would submit to you that even that is not your ultimate desire. There is something deeper.

See, I believe Romans 8 is pointing out that the deepest longing in the universe is for completion.

And yes, I did mean “in the universe.” That’s why it’s not simply part of the human condition; it’s the condition of everything. Let me explain what I mean by “completion,” and next week I’ll try to show that the desire is universal (or bigger!).

Longing for Completion

By “completion,” I don’t just mean a desire for things to end. I mean true, deep, and ultimate fulfillment, redemption, fruition, perfection, consummation. Maybe “consummation” really is the better word, despite (or perhaps because of) its romantic connotations. Remember that elsewhere in the Bible, Christians in the Church are referred to as the bride of Christ. If this is a strange concept to you, just hear me out.

In Jewish culture, engaged couples could be separated from each other for long periods of time before the wedding so that the groom could make preparations. The last book of the Bible foretells of the Church—then perfected and sinless—as a bride beautifully dressed to meet her groom on their wedding day. They have been apart for ages. He has been busy sacrificing Himself to provide perfection for her, and she has been yearning to be united with him in love and thankfulness. Finally, on that day of consummation, they will sit down together and enjoy a marriage supper celebrating their long-awaited union. And then, forever.

The Bride Made Beautiful

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready…. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 19:7, 21:2). This description is so relatable. On the morning of my wedding, I needed lots of help adorning myself, that’s for sure. One girl did my hair, another did my makeup, and several more zipped me into my dress and strapped on my shoes. But—judging from my husband’s face—the adorning was well worth the effort. The Bride of Christ has been adorned with the holiness of her Husband and the “righteous acts of the saints” with which she has served Him (Rev. 19:8). She is ready.

A Feast to Celebrate

When they are finally united, it will be time to celebrate with a feast. It’s a common tragedy that, after all the deliberation, planning, and purchasing of the wedding food, most modern couples probably don’t get to enjoy the meal at their own weddings. They’re too busy taking pictures, greeting guests, and tossing garters. I, for one, tried to pack in as much food as I could, but I will always regret not eating more cupcakes. They. Were. Divine. But we were on a schedule, and we had people to talk to. Not so with the marriage of Christ and the Church. All who are invited will have forever to enjoy the feast…literally.

What to Expect

But the consummation or completion that we long for most is not the wedding itself but the marriage and all the blessings that will come from it. It would be a very disappointed couple who looked forward only to the wedding and thought nothing about the marriage. Before my marriage, I really had no idea what to expect. Would I feel peaceful? claustrophobic? protected? frustrated? No one really knows what they’re getting into with marriage, but I can say that I’ve been more blessed (and spoiled) than I could ever have expected.

But when Christ marries the church, He tells her exactly what to expect: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain.” Jesus says, “’Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:4-5). What a promise! And this, friends, this is what we’re longing for. We earnestly desire consummation for the healing of our broken hearts and the drying of our tears. We want to live where “goodbye” isn’t even in our vocabulary. We long for all things to be made new. And this is the consummation that the Bride of Christ will receive! Hallelujah!

Roots of Longing

If you’ve felt a longing in your heart for something, don’t disregard it; instead, try tracing it back to its root.

Do you long for a relationship? You were made to be united with Christ. Do you long for healing? Your heart knows that sickness and sorrow are the distortion, not the design. Do you long for change? Behold, He will make all things new.

I will leave you this week with food for thought: this consummation is what everything longs for: non-Christians, Christians, creation, and even God Himself. Does that sound crazy? Come back next week to find out if it’s true. Until then, just hold on. Completion is coming.

Check out the next post here!