The ache in our souls

When is the last time someone asked you, “How are you?” and you actually answered honestly? Think about it for awhile. Life is busy, and our human interactions come and go so quickly anymore. A quick “Hello. How are you?” is sometimes the only invitation to authenticity and vulnerability we receive in a 24-hour period of time. But do we even view those simple words as such?

An invitation to authenticity and vulnerability. An invitation to community. An invitation to love.

It has become too easy to use the words “I’m fine” as a diversion from what is really going on in our lives, a quick deflection from the ache in our souls. To unveil the hurt in our hearts seems too great a price to pay, too high a risk to take. So, we settle for shallow living because it seems safer when we’re close to shore. BUT, we were created for so much more…for thriving relationships, for health and wholeness, for LOVE.

We ache for love. We ache to love. We ache to be loved.

You and I were created by an intentional God who wants us to know His love for us more than anything else in this world. That is why we search for love…because we were created to be loved. There is no greater need that exists within the heart of every human than to be loved. And there is no greater love to be found in this life than the love of Christ.

Every other love will come up short. Every other love will be imperfect. Every other love will disappoint. Every other love will fade. The love of Jesus Christ stands alone. Nothing compares. Other loves may satisfy for a time, but no other love will be capable of filling the void inside that was created for Jesus’ love to fill. Not one.

Our souls are so often found aching for more because we have so often chosen to fill them with less than what they were made for. The love of a spouse, the love of a friend, the love of a child, the love of a mother…all good, but all will pale in comparison to His great love for you and for me.

Believe me when I say, my soul has known ache, gut-wrenching ache. My cup has often run dry, and the cavern within my chest has felt empty. But every time I’ve taken those empty places to Jesus to fill, I have consistently found that my cup runs over, every single time.

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for He has been good to me. (Psalm 13:5-6)

And so today, I am choosing to lean back into the loving arms of a God whose love knows no limits and no bounds. The ache within my soul can find hope and healing in His loving embrace. I’m praying for you today that you will allow His love to mend the ache within yours.