Field guide · Weather
Us with Godand Longing
Forecast: a soft ache in the air, with homesickness for a place you’ve never been.
Four tired ways to walk
Each has some truth in it. None of them is the whole story.
Under GodSheep that hide from the Shepherd
Wanting more must mean I’m ungrateful, so I should feel guilty about it.
Over GodSheep that know the way
Longing is just unmet needs; identify them and meet them.
From GodSheep that follow the grass
If God gave me what I’m longing for, the ache would finally stop.
For GodSheep trying to be the sheepdog
I’ll fill the ache with ministry until I don’t feel it anymore.
The ache was made for him.
God “has set eternity in the human heart” (Eccl 3:11). That is why the best days still leave a little ache behind. The psalmists didn’t hide it. “My soul thirsts for you” (Ps 63:1). “My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (Ps 84:2). Longing is not a defect. It is a homing signal. We can bring it straight to him and let it become prayer, until the day God makes his home with us for good (Rev 21:3).
Where the Shepherd isHe is the living water, and he promises that whoever drinks from him will never thirst again (John 4:13–14).
Fellow travelers
People in Scripture who walked this ground before us.
- Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel and finally held him in his arms (Luke 2:25–32).
- Moses had seen great wonders and still prayed, “Show me your glory” (Ex 33:18).
Keep walking
- With God: Sheep that know his voicethe posture every entry points to
- Which Way Are You Walking?a short self-check
- The Field Guideevery entry, by terrain, weather and crossing