“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?”

Psalm 42:2 (NIV)

The parched lips of my soul cry out to the Lord, “I need yet another drink of the living water!” Just one more drink. Please. It feels as though it’s been ages since I last heard your voice. Since I last enjoyed the comfort of your embrace. Since I last found a joyful refuge in the warmth of your whisper. When can we meet? When can I drink deeply of your presence once more? I long to meet your gaze with my own.

I know you are here with me, even now, in my bedroom as I write these words. Not only are you in my very being, but your presence constantly surrounds me and envelops my life. Yet, it doesn’t always feel like that. Right now, it feels like I’m playing hide-and-go-seek with an omnipresent being. How very ironic. Even in this moment I hear you whisper, “Keep seeking”. I will. You know I will. How could I ever give up? You are worth a lifetime of seeking, even if there was no promise of finding you. Just the idea of you is enough to sustain me. But, there is a promise. A promise that you will show up. A promise that if I seek, I will find. If I knock, I will find myself facing an open door. If I ask, then I will receive. How much better to be seeking your face with the knowledge and faith that none of this is in vain.

I know that you never hide yourself for fun. It’s always for a purpose. For my own betterment. To teach and to grow me. But that almost makes you sound as if you are only my teacher. You aren’t just my teacher. That’s what makes this all worth it. You are my friend. My lover. My everything. I have felt your intimacy. I have felt your heart. You have encountered me in the most personal ways. I will never give that up. That’s why I have a hope and a promise that just around the corner of this quiet season is a giant Jesus-Hug waiting to surprise me. Just in writing this, I have never felt more secure in my resolve to turn that corner. That hug is my prize. And, oh, what a glorious prize it will be. I truly cannot wait.

The beauty of my God is blinding; it ruins me for all other desires. I am left always wanting more and more of his sweet addicting love. I am His Treasure, and He is mine! There is no other name I would rather let escape from my lips than the wonderful name of Jesus. Others may leave me, but He never will. He is all I will ever need; He is all I will ever want. Let my heart always feast upon your love. Your word to my ears is like sugar to the lips. Never release my heart from your intimate embrace. Let me make your presence my home. I want to stay.

-Jonah