RESTLESS
RESTLESS
I have lived with this word for as long as I can remember.
It felt as if I was waiting for something, not sure what, just….something.
If I was in a relationship that was difficult then I blamed that person and assumed that when I was away from them the restlessness would go but it never did. The restlessness was inside me so I simply took it with me wherever I went.
As I have gotten older my life has become more finely tuned. I have been given the gift of doing what I loved to do, to write, to speak, to sing. Not only that I am doing it in the company of women I love dearly. Life is good and fulfilled.
But one night as I sat on what we refer to as ‘the porch’ with the team of women I work with, in an arena filled with 19,000 women, once more I felt overwhelmed and alone.
“What is this Lord? Why do I always feel a little lost, a little lonely, a little restless?”
I have never heard the audible voice of God but that night I heard God speak to my heart.
“This is a sacred ache, an ancient longing, don’t run from it, embrace it and in that place you will find me.”
I have known the famous quote from Augustine, “Our hearts are restless ’till they rest in Thee,” for many years and honestly, it has confused me. What happens when you come into relationship with Christ and the restlessness continues?
I think it will.
I think it is supposed to stay.
I think it is a gift, a “severe mercy.”
I believe the ache will stay until we make it all the way home and I’m glad about that, because the ache and longing tells us that home is what we were made for.
So….I no longer expect anyone or anything to fill that space that Christ alone can fill.
What about you, are you a little restless?
That's it! You described exactly what it is that I've been feeling but not sure how to express it. I'm restless in a way that will never soothed until I'm called home as well. Thanks!
Thanks Simone!
That is what I should call it? Restless. That which leads me away from everything else into deep intimacy with God. Beautiful!
Love this insight Sheila. I read something similar in a book by Ronald Rolheiser called, The Holy Longing. You presented this thought in a way I will always remember. Restlessness= the longing to be with our Maker. Thanks for sharing such wisdom from above!! Blessings friend…
Thanks you Rosanna!
Love, love, love this….And You!
Xoxoxo
M
Thanks Michelle and I LOVE you xx
I think the victory is here but the road can still be difficult until we get home. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world."
Thank you Sabrina
I feel restless when I have done something and feel embarrased. It is a lack of self confidence that I can only find with Christ.
Wow… How is it that you once again described me to a tee?? I don't know how you do it, but I'm SOOO glad you do! I've learned a LOT from you and your words/wisdom/life experience. Thank you for speaking openly, honestly and transparently. You will never know the impact you have had on countless people just because you're doing what God has called you to do. Your crown is going to be so full of jewels you won't be able to hold your head up!!
Okay… now that I've inflated your ego… let some air out and smile… 
Love ya girl!
I remember feelings of restlessness even as a young girl. I have been feeling those feelings again lately and disturbed by them. Thank you for sharing what you did, that makes so much sense….I will allow my restless feelings to draw me closer to my Lord. Thank you also for being so real always.
Oh yes. and I know I just need to rest in the 'this is where he has me' and 'godliness with contentment is great gain'. I think I am finally learning this. I am really trying to settle in here and do what God has for me right now; raising my kids and homeschooling. My littlest will be off to college in a short 15 years. I have a lot to accomplish RIGHT NOW! so I have refocused a bit and peace seems to be filling our home now. ….but I am looking forward to my permanent home. that is why my blog is Hiking Toward Home. I'm just a lass hiking with Jesus toward my home in heaven.
THANKS Sheila!!! You said it perfectly! I have never heard it referred to as restless!!! I like that…I struggle with loneliness more than I would like. It is my worst enemy. I am single and it sneaks up on me a lot!!! Restless…makes me think of God calling us to REST in him. My life scripture is Be still and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10… I seek God daily and I definately want HIM to be the only one to fell that longing in my heart!!! Thanks for your insight and words of wisdom… Be blessed!!!
As mentioned above, you described me to a T! Mine is more a sense of melancholy that is always there. I thought I was alone in this feeling. Thank you for sharing – you have helped me SO much over the years. God bless you & yours! & keep on sharing, because you touch so many people!
Thank you Sheila for sharing this! I have been feeling this a lot lately and you put words to something I didn't even know I need to hear. Thank you for your encouragement! It was a perfectly timed message.
I have always felt restless… your post was something I needed to read today. I need my heart and my head to wrap itself around this: “This is a sacred ache, an ancient longing, don’t run from it, embrace it and in that place you will find me.”
Thank you for sharing!
Oh, I like you. I've always liked you. I like you more now, knowing you feel it too. Yes, I am restless; it is who I am, a restless heart, searching out rest in God.
Restless…and a longing for Him even while we have the Spirit.
Beautiful words, Sheila.
Sheila you have it down! Even CS Lewis had that ache. A man who had more than a glimpse of Heaven while he was here. It never goes away does it? It's like you are missing your best friend or your Father. Which of course we are!
Thank God for the times we get a glimpse of Heaven. And thanks for giving voice to the ache.
May His love keep you warm today,
x Claire
Restless? I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about. *squirm* Okay, who am I kidding? This is EXACTLY my situation right now, and as far back as I can remember. You nailed this! Thanks for helping me know what to do with it. Not fighting it but embracing it – doesn’t feel natural, which is probably why it’s so important you blogged this. Thanks for listening and passing this on to us.
So true! But it is a good kind of restless because we know that one day we will rest in the place we have longed for. Thanks for the reminder.
Pam
Twitter- mykidssccrmom
Thank you for putting into words what so many of us feel and for giving us the freedom to admit that we feel it! You are an encouragement!
i can't help but think of the verse that says God's placed eternity in our hearts. there will always be that longing for "other". it's innate. it's supposed to be. hard to live in that tension all the time though.
Yes…I’m restless. Walking in the in between of what God has placed in my heart & faith becoming sight…in a few areas. Thanks for the great post. Love this!
Wow…I sure appreciate your honesty and those who have responded. Sometimes, I do feel alone…with people…and have run into His arms…knowing He is my Comfort. It's refreshing to remember it's part of His design for us! Blessings!
Oh, Sheila, this post is God's voice to me today. I work so hard to try to make the empty restless place go away. It distresses and depresses me that it stays with me. It never once occurred to me that this is the way I am made as HIS child. What a blessing to just anticipate the ultimate fulfillment of that longing.
I love your post! God knew where to guide me today! I feel alone so much lately but I know that I have a High Priest who understands all of my pain. Each time I go to the cross I come away fullfilled.. Nothing can't fill that void like Christ. Even in my restlessness. Life is difficult at times. People hurt others? People who have no right to! I am now homeless from a church but I will never be beaten down from the One who loves me for who i am. Why can't we just love each other and get along!
A couple of weeks ago I was sitting alone study God's word and I just felt I needed something more that night. I went to my cabinet and pulled out the Amazing Freedom from 2007. I cried so much. Shelia you are one of the most honest amazing speakers i know. Please don't ever let go of you!
Blessings,
.
I told my cousin one time that I couldn't wait to go to Heaven. She told me I was being morbid. On various occasions my friends have asked me "Why are you so restless?", to which I have responded "I'm homesick for a place I've never been". I long for Heaven. My heart aches to go and be with God in the fullness that He has planned. It's not that I don't enjoy my life and like living here, it's that I know that something, SOMEONE soooooo much better is waiting.
Thanks for your posting Sheila and for helping me to see that what I am feeling is healthy and normal.
restless in Canada,
Marlene