Some further reflections...

I wrote about a deep longing for the fulfillment of the ministry calling that the Lord has given us. It is like being stuck in time... frozen in "late winter"... with spring so close and yet so very far away.
But, even as I wrote those words, the Lord was stirring me to ask this question, "For what am I really longing in this 'late winter of the soul'?" Is this heart-ache really about the fulfillment of our ministry calling... or is there something deeper behind it?

Well... C.S. Lewis, in his allegory entitled "Pilgrim's Regress", says that our deepest longings, while seemingly related to something in this world, are in reality our heart's desire for God himself. We strive for what we believe will fulfill us (sometimes even things that are excellent and ennobling) but, even when we reach that "place" or attain that "thing", we find that we still want more. We find ourselves singing with Bono, "... I still haven't found what I'm looking for.".
And, the New Testament scholar N.T. Wright, In his book "Simply Christian", says that the universal human desires for things like justice, beauty, relationship and spirituality are really the "echoes of a voice". That voice is that of the Risen Savior and He is calling us toward his Kingdom.
Our problem is that when we experience these desires and longings, and go about seeking fulfillment in the "things" that are found in this world (many of which are perfectly great... and worthy of our desires), we usually give up the search to soon. We need to recognize that they are really hints and dreams and shadows and echoes of the One for whom our hearts truly and deeply ache. In this sense, being a hedonist is actually a good thing... but only if we refuse to settle for less than the true pleasure that is ours in Christ.
"The whole creation is groaning as in the pains of child birth and we too groan as we await the redemption of our bodies (resurrection and the commencement of the New Creation that will come in Christ at his return)." Romans 8