God's Gift of Becoming

Photo Credit: Milos Tonchevski on Unsplash

As a child did you ever ask yourself, ”What do I want to be when I grow up?"

Today, the more compelling question might be, "Who am I becoming?"

So opened the invitation to a Spring women's retreat, whose theme was inspired by the Listen to My Life Desires & Longings map. Some ladies arrived without expectation, some with a sense of anticipation, and others armed with a plan. Equally as varied were the responses of the individuals throughout the weekend.

It did not take long to discover that for most of us, our “desires” and “longings” have never really disappeared. Perhaps they were buried or sidelined while life happened, waiting to be re-ignited by the breath of God's Holy Spirit.

“What do I want to be when I grow up?”

As long as we are still drawing breath this side of heaven, our potential and God's purpose for our lives is not yet ended. It may not look the same as it did in an earlier decade of our lives. Yet, our God-inspired desires and longings are capable of being enlivened in any season, providing enrichment to both ourselves and others.

“Who am I becoming?”

Along with the two reflection questions shared above was another that reached into “longings’” depths:

If Jesus stood before you today and asked, “What do you really want Me to do for you?” would you know what to say?

Perhaps a question not quickly or easily answered, how we respond carries the capacity to show us our heart and our view of God. God's gift of becoming is just that, a gift. Becoming is a heart in motion, continuously receiving the gift of His vision and purpose in creating us to be who we are and who we are becoming for the glory of God.

Reflection Questions

• What “hope deferred” desire still lingers in the recesses of your heart?
• Who are you becoming—in attitude, behavior, emotions, thought life—in light of your desires and longings?
• In what ways might God be calling you to a “longing-fulfilled” heart in Him?

Prayer

Precious Abba, there is no one who knows my heart like You do. In the deepest recesses of who I am, You see and know and embrace my longing for You. May the desires of my heart be granted from this place of becoming in You.

Scripture

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”  Proverbs 13:12 (NIV)