Holy Longing
Elizabeth on Singleness and Sexuality

Originally named Young, Free and Single, this message speaks to anyone who wrestles with unfulfilled longings and desires to live them out in a way which is healthy and holy. In a teaching series based in Biblical Wisdom Literature, Ecclesiastes 11 and 12 provide the point of departure for this challenging message.

The Gift of Longing

Holy Longing affirms the problem of longing. Longings reveal that something is missing in our lives yet our attempts to fill up the hole often leave us terribly unsatisfied. I explore the question, What if our longings are sacred, given by God for a purpose?

"We are Grand Canyons without a bottom, longing for completion, for perfect communion with another that we will not experience this side of heaven." Ronald Rolheiser

Download Holy Longing

The challenging call to holiness

Living within a biblical view of sexuality involves affirming that we are drawn toward intimate relationships while choosing to engage with others in ways that are life-giving. In Holy Longing I explore three questions related to this view:

• Is it reasonable?
• Is it biblical?
• Is it doable?

If you are struggling with singleness or with living with your longings in a God-honouring way, be encouraged by Holy Longing. I pray that my teaching and my own story will encourage your heart and stimulate hope for holding on and finding a way through.

Extras

Watch the Wingsuit video. Some engage whole-heartedly in the freedom the single life offers, illustrated by these extreme sporters flying along the cliffs of the Norwegian fjords.

Text from Augustine's Confessions quoted in this message.

"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us … and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers." 2 Corinthians 1:9b-11a

Return to Formational sermons

Share your own story

Encourage others by sharing a testimony of how God satisfied your longing
or met you right in the midst of it.
(Write in English or Dutch)

Give your entry a title

Tell us your story [ ? ]

Close Help Entering your story is easy to do. Just type! Your story will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here. You can wrap a word in square brackets to make it appear bold. For example [my story] would show as my story on the Web page containing your story. TIP: Since most people scan Web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph.

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional) [ ? ]

Close Help Do you have a picture to add? Great! Click the button and find it on your computer. Then select it.

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name	(first or full name)
Your Location	(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.

(You can preview and edit on the next page)

Click here to see the rest of the form and complete your submission.

What other visitors have said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors...