We've ruminated on Tozer's words, reflecting the "Preacher" (or Qoheleth, the author of Ecclesiastes): "He has set eternity in the hearts of men" (Eccl. 3:11). Tozer writes, "All within us cries for life and permanence, and everything around us reminds us of mortality and change. Yet that God has made us of the stuff of eternity is both a glory yet to be realized and a prophecy yet to be fulfilled" (KOH, 41).
C.S. Lewis recognized, as I think we all do, a deep longing in the human heart when we experience moments of great beauty, euphoria, joy. He called it sehnsucht, a German word for "longing" or "desire." This longing awakens us to something beyond...something other...something mysterious and difficult to put into words. The very experience leaves us, often, embarrassed or, as he says, "feeling awkward." It is uncomfortable getting in touch with the deepest longings of our hearts. But it is these longings, Lewis says, that point us Beyond...to the great Other...the great Mystery of God Himself, who we were made for.
HW: Reflect on this notion of sehnsucht as reflected in the experiences we shared and the article we read together (for article, see "resources" page) and respond freely in your journal. What shows up for you? Further, read and annotate Tozer chapters 8 & 9 and respond freely in your journal to anything that God seems to place upon your heart and mind.
Due Tuesday, November 3, 2015.