A key element within the human spirit is the function of longing—a longing for harmony, for belonging, for purpose and grounding. Longing is idealized in two directions: remembering the past with nostalgia and looking forward to the future with hope. However studies have shown that we have difficulty remembering the past accurately, and experience has shown that the future seldom turns out the way we anticipate. That probably includes heaven too.
Composers who capture longing with their music usually have a symphony of success to show for their imagination. “Take me home over the country road;” but sad to say the old homestead doesn’t look as inviting as I remembered it. Somehow it is smaller and a bit run down. You can’t step into the same river twice. Change is a constant flowing stream that complicates the environment and with it our outlook and anticipation.
So how do we deal with longing? The German word is ‘Sehnsucht’—this yearning for that which is more perfect and complete where the vicissitudes of life can no longer beat down an upright spirit. We are not there yet. We are like children asking parents from the back seat of the old sedan “how much longer til we get there?” We entertain faint glimmers of the ideal moment and location…but must be satisfied with patience.
What is the ingredient in longing that separates reality from illusion? I think it is found in a presence, in a faith that knows instinctively what a real presence actually is—an appearance that takes hold of us and does not pretend to be superhuman nor unworldly but life-giving. “See the scars in my hands and feet and the spear scab in my side,” says Jesus. I am one with you in your humanity so that you may be one with me in a peace that passes understanding.
“I am the good shepherd,” asserts Jesus. “I know my sheep and my sheep know me! I lay down my life for the sheep.” Not all shepherds are “good”. Most were not. So the negative critics assail him: “He is demon-possessed and raving mad,” they claim, “why listen to him?” (John 10:20). The counter-argument is “can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” (John 9:1-41). Sight, deep insight, is one of the many gifts Jesus grants us through faith—to heal our blind eyes to truly see the holy in the midst of the profane, the handy-work of a Creator who loves his creation and all creatures. He points our sight to a more worthy and beautiful “white supremacy” found in the snow atop Mount Hood, calling into question our idolatries and pointing forward to life.
Shepherding is not quite as common today as it was in Jesus’ time. Perhaps we could change the metaphor a bit and understand Jesus as our “life tour guide.” He has a global positioning antenna that includes both space and time. “Hey Jesus, how do we get from here to eternity?” And he responds, “just love each other as I have loved you!” As we lose ourselves in love for one another we suddenly discover that longing is realized and fulfilled and God is with us here and now.
We pray: Lord Jesus, you invite us to follow you into a full life of love and self-giving. Strengthen us by the power of your Spirit to enter this journey toward the fullness of your paradise and presence, that we may enjoy the bounties of this good creation on the way to life. This we pray in your most holy name. God hear us. Amen.
LBW Hymn #370:
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The unity of heart and mind is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne we pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.
From sorrow, toil, and pain, and sin we shall be free.
And perfect love and friendship reign through all eternity.
The Rev. Joel Nickel, STS
Artist