We itch for something more, something deeper. We can’t even quite put our fingers on it but we know the longing is there.
We each feel it. Sometimes we keep it to ourselves. We don’t let anyone in on the discontent. We silently hope someone will come along and scratch our itch but most of the time we find ourselves chasing after a solution ourselves, which while bringing temporary respite, inevitably leads to deeper despair.
Sometimes we search for a solution within our group because our group seems to have similar itches as we do. But we each have different ideas on how to accomplish this longing for “more.” Though the itch seems the same, it takes on different forms for each of us.
Even good ideas collide, sometimes met with defensiveness, sometimes met with silent frustration. The end is the same, though. Wheels still spinning, the itch still present. But at least even with varying – sometimes opposing – ideas, the passion is there.
The alternative would be to give up. Many, in their frustration, will. Others cease to give it all they’ve got. Cynicism isn’t far behind.
Why is it that everyone seems to have the same itch but not the same idea for a solution?
Call me idealistic, but I think much of it boils down to the lack of one thing.
Prayer.
Has each of us prayed for God’s guidance in how to overcome the itch? Really prayed? Not a breath-prayer. Not even a specific time of prayer in a day. Maybe it will take approaching the throne and not doing a thing about our itch until God answers. And when God answers, we’ll be listening for his voice, and we’ll know his voice.
Perhaps then, as we all get together with the same itch, we sing a chorus of love and grace with one another, with humility, casting aside our personal preferences for the purpose of only going where God is leading and nowhere else.
I’ve had a tough couple of weeks, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, on a number of fronts. The reasons are various and probably warrant their own blog post, but the most resounding answer to my prayers of desperation has reverberated louder than any others:
I need to buckle down and spend more concentrated effort in prayer.
For my heart. That God will develop a humility in me that doesn’t think of myself and my ideas but thinks first of God and his kingdom and his mission and his church.
For my family. For my role in serving my family. For my heart to change from family manager to family servant. For the hearts of my the members of family.
For my friends. That I will seek to serve them. For their hearts, that God will meet them with his love, presence, admonition, and guidance.
For my church. That we would become a people of prayer first and solutions later. That we would seek to know one another and love one another before we seek to problem solve.
The itch starts in us as individuals. It can naturally permeate to our families, friends, and churches. Yet the solution is still the same. May God call us to pray. May we heed his call.
Even if we haven’t a clue how to pray – prayer is my biggest spiritual struggle – we must start somewhere and trust God will lead us with the voice that in our deepest of souls, we desperately long to hear.