................................................................................................................................................................
Satisfying Your Core Longing
Beth McCord
“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken
me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken
cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jeremiah 2:13 (NIV)
Have
you ever thought about the true longing of your heart?
I’m
not talking about a passing craving, intention or goal. I’m talking about the message
your heart is desperately longing to hear.
For
years, I suppressed the true longing of my heart — to know my presence matters.
As
a long-time Christ-follower, I was well-acquainted with the gospel story and
knew Jesus loves me and had died for me, bringing me freedom and fullness in
Him.
But
I was struggling to let that truth fully settle into my heart and life.
I
kept falling into the same ruts, feeling stuck and ashamed year after year.
I
couldn't grasp the identity and value I knew I already had, and I couldn’t
understand why I didn't feel like I was growing more.
Frustration,
sadness and loneliness welled up within me, and I became very sensitive to
people's words and actions.
I wondered, Is there any sanctification happening
within me? Is something wrong with me? Do I have a calling? Can I make any kind
of impact on this world?
Though
I looked calm and capable on the outside, my inner world was in shambles. I was
constantly comparing myself to others, a dangerous game in which I always came
up short.
My
unwillingness to submit to the Holy Spirit and insistence on going about my
life the way I saw fit revealed my idols — the ways in which I tried to satisfy
my heart’s core longing apart from Christ.
In
biblical times, a cistern was a man-made reservoir dug in the ground or rock to
collect and store water.
Cisterns
were important in Israel because of the long dry season and very few natural
water sources.
But
a broken cistern was completely worthless. Cracked rock or crumbling stone held
little to no water.
Collecting
and storing water in a broken cistern would be about as effective as trying to
drink from a cracked coffee cup!
We’re
all wired to feel, think and act in certain ways in order to satisfy our core
longing.
But
we forsake our Creator when we try to fulfill this unending craving in our own
strength, and we'll always be left wanting more.
In
Jeremiah 2:13, the prophet Jeremiah points out the foolishness of God’s people.
The
Fall corrupted how we try to satisfy the thirst of our hearts.
We
look to the broken cisterns of relationships, professional successes, material
goods or many other things that can never truly satisfy.
These
things will never offer true peace to our hearts or relationships.
But
there is good news!
Jesus’
life, death and resurrection righted all that is wrong in us so we can bring to
life our true longing and purpose.
The
gospel specifically fulfills each of our hearts’ cries, giving us a spring of
Living Water that will never run dry.
When
we know, believe and trust that Christ alone can satisfy us, He unlocks deep
transformation.
Our
thirst is quenched, and we are set free to live as His beloved children. We can
then use our unique perspectives and amazing qualities to bless others and
bring glory to God.
Whatever
you’re thirsting for today, may you fully believe and trust you are fully seen
and loved by God.
He
intricately created you and knows your every heart longing. You can find rest
and great joy knowing all He has is yours.
Heavenly Father, illuminate my heart with all its
motivations and inclinations. I want to break free from the broken cisterns
that will always leave me wanting more and move forward in growth and freedom.
Help me remember only You can satisfy the true longing of my heart. In Jesus’
Name, Amen.
TRUTH
FOR TODAY
Romans 8:1-2, “Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus
the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and
death.” (NIV)
John 4:14, “But whoever drinks the water I give
them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a
spring of water welling up to eternal life." (NIV)
RELATED
RESOURCES
The
gospel-centered Enneagram can help you discover your heart’s core longing and
how Christ alone can satisfy it. Take Beth McCord’s free test to discover your
Enneagram Type and use this personality tool as an internal GPS to keep you on
your healthiest path to becoming more like Christ.
To
continue in your growth journey, pick up a copy of your type-specific journal
from The Enneagram Collection series.
CONNECT
For
more gospel-centered insights on the Enneagram, visit Beth’s Your Enneagram
Coach Blog, or follow her on Instagram.
REFLECT
AND RESPOND
Do
you know the core longing of your heart? How have you seen it at work
throughout your life? What or who have you looked to in order to quench this
thirst in the past?
How
do you feel to hear that it’s Christ alone who can satisfy your core longing?
How
can you apply this gospel insight to move forward in growth, hope and freedom?
Beth McCord, founder of Your Enneagram Coach, has been an
Enneagram speaker, coach, and teacher for more than fifteen years. Having been
trained by the best Enneagram experts and pouring hundreds of hours into
advanced certifications, Beth is passionate about coming alongside individuals
and helping them rewrite their story, allowing them to see that lasting change,
meaningful relationships, and a life of deep purpose are possible. Beth lives
outside of Nashville and has been married to her best friend, Jeff, for 23
years, and they have two teenage children.
https://www.proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2020/01/22/satisfying-your-core-longing
You
might also like:
Fill
My Cup, Lord
CLICK
HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment