There is a deep, innate longing within the human soulāa vacuum, an ache that many of us cannot name but can feel. It is a longing for more, for something beyond what we can see, touch, or fully comprehend. For the true seeker, this longing is the desire to experience God in His fullness, to be fully filled with His Spirit, to walk in the tangible presence of His glory. And yet, for many of us, this fullness often feels out of reach.
We find ourselves in the tension of yearning for Godās presence while living in a world of apparent insufficiency. We long to see Him, to experience the touch of His Spirit in tangible waysāyet we often face seasons where we feel distant, where the vacuum of longing seems unfulfilled.
But could it be that this vacuum, this very emptiness, is not a sign of God’s absence but of His divine invitation to seek Him? Could it be that this longing within us is a reflection of what was lost in the Garden of Edenāand yet a promise of what will one day be restored in Christ? Indeed, the fullness of God is something we must seek, and in seeking, we draw closer to the very heart of God.
Jesus said, āBlessed are those who have not seen and yet have believedā (John 20:29), pointing to a faith that transcends physical sight. This blessed longing is not just about the desire to see or experience God tangibly but is about the faith that believes without seeing. It is this kind of faith, rooted in trust rather than sight, that deepens our relationship with Him, even in our seasons of longing. The vacuum of longing becomes a divine invitation to embrace faith without sight, a call to trust in God’s promises even when we cannot physically experience His fullness.
The Vacuum as a Divine Invitation
The vacuum within us, this longing for more of God, is a deliberate and profound part of Godās design. If God did not want us to experience His fullness, He would not have created within us such a divine yearningāa longing for something beyond ourselves. Itās a reflection of the spiritual void that humanity faces since the Fall of Adam, when we were originally created to walk in perfect fellowship with God. The ache we feel is both a result of the Fall and a sign of what will be restored in Christ.
In the Garden, Adam and Eve experienced perfect communion with God. Their sin broke that fellowship, and in its wake, humanity has been left with a longing for that original relationship. This vacuum, this thirst for more of God, drives us to seek Him more fully. And yet, as we see, this very absence is also a divine invitation. God could have chosen to fill this gap immediately, but He has chosen instead to call us into deeper pursuit. We are meant to search for Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13), knowing that in the seeking, we are drawn closer to Him.
Romans 8:22-23 adds a profound layer to this understanding of longing, not just as a personal experience but as part of a broader cosmic reality. Paul writes, āWe know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.ā
In this passage, Paul links our individual longing for redemption to the groaning of all creation. Just as we feel the ache of unfulfilled desires for Godās presence, creation itself longs for the ultimate fulfilment of Godās promisesāthe restoration of all things. This longing is not merely an individual experience but part of a larger, divine narrative of redemption that encompasses the whole world.
The tension we feel between the “already” of our salvation and the “not yet” of the fullness of God’s Kingdom is reflected in creation itself. We, as human beings, are caught in the overlap of the two agesāliving in a fallen world while also being recipients of God’s firstfruits through the Holy Spirit. Our personal longing is, therefore, a small but significant part of a cosmic groaning that looks forward to the redemption of our bodies and the restoration of all creation. This connection between personal longing and cosmic redemption ties our individual experiences of yearning directly to Godās ultimate plan to restore and redeem not only humanity but all of creation.
The Paradox of Seeking and Longing
In this pursuit, there is a paradox: the more we seek Godās fullness, the more we become aware of our lack. Yet, this lack serves to refine and perfect our faith. Itās not that God does not want to meet us in our longing, but that He desires to test and refine our faith as we wait. The absence of immediate fulfilment is the very thing that causes our faith to grow stronger, just as gold is refined by fire. Our longing is not a sign of failure or spiritual deficiency but part of a divine process that deepens our trust in God.
This paradox is not just a personal experience but reflects the very nature of the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught that the Kingdom is both “already” present and “not yet” fully realised. In Luke 17:21, He declares, āThe kingdom of God is in your midstā (or āwithin youā). This present reality of the Kingdom, which is already here in the person and work of Jesus, is experienced through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the life of the Church. We experience the “already” of Godās Kingdom in the sense that we have received the first fruits of the Spirit, a taste of His Kingdom to come, and have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of His Son (Colossians 1:13).
However, while we experience the “already,” we also live in the tension of the “not yet.” The fullness of God’s Kingdom is still to comeāthe complete restoration of all things, the new heavens and new earth, and the final victory over sin and death. In this “already-not-yet” time, we feel the tension of longing for what has been promised but has not yet been fully realised.
This tension manifests in our spiritual journey as we experience both Godās presence and the absence of its fullness. Ephesians 1:13-14 speaks of the Holy Spirit as a “seal” and a “guarantee” of our inheritance, yet we still long for the final redemption of our bodies and the complete fulfilment of Godās promises. The Spiritās indwelling presence is a foretaste, a deposit, of the fullness that is to come. And so, we experience a paradox: the Kingdom is “already” here, but not yet fully realised, and our longing for God reflects this in-between time.
In this sense, our longing is not a sign of spiritual failure but a vital part of the Christian journey. It reflects the heart of the āalready-not-yetā tension we live in. As we wait for the final fulfilment of God’s promises, we long for more of His presence. This yearning for the “not yet” helps deepen our intimacy with God in the “already,” teaching us to rely on His Spirit and trust in the hope of future glory. Just as Romans 8:23 reminds us, āWe ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies,” we live in a state of longing, even as we experience the “firstfruits” of the Kingdom today.
This paradox is further illustrated by the life of the Apostle Paul, who spoke of his deep yearning to know Christ more fully, even if that meant experiencing suffering. He desired the fullness of God but understood that true fellowship with God involves both the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10). Paulās longing was not disconnected from the “already-not-yet” tension but was a reflection of it. As he sought Godās fullness, he recognised that the trials and suffering he endured were part of the refining process that deepened his relationship with Christ. Just as gold is refined by fire, so too, through suffering and longing, our faith is strengthened.
In this pursuit of God, through trials, perseverance, and longing, we grow spiritually. The “already” reality of Godās presence gives us strength to endure the “not yet” fulfilment, knowing that as we press on, we are being transformed into Christ’s image. This tension between the now and the not yet is a central theme in the Christian walk, teaching us to rely not on what we can see or touch, but on the promises of God that we trust by faith.
The Role of Trials and Waiting in Sanctification
This theme of longing for God’s fullness while enduring the absenceāthe gap between what we know to be true about God and what we feel in the momentāis a crucial aspect of the sanctification process. Trials test our faith, and it is precisely in the midst of waiting for the fullness of God that our faith is refined. Itās a process that demands perseverance and trust. James 1:2-4 makes this clear, stating that the testing of our faith produces perseverance, leading to spiritual maturity. The absence, the seeming vacuum of Godās presence, is not only a trial but also a tool for transformation.
In the wilderness of waiting, we are given an opportunity to press in further, to cultivate deeper faith, and to trust that God is at work even when we cannot perceive His presence. It is in this tension between what we seek and what we experience that our faith is refined, tested, and purified.
Yet this process goes beyond mere enduranceāit leads to something even greater. Romans 5:3-4 reminds us that “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” This verse deepens our understanding of the sanctification process. It’s not just about enduring trials but about how those trials produce a greater hope. As we endure suffering and waiting, our perseverance is tested, and from this perseverance, our character is shaped. But the ultimate outcome is hopeāa hope that does not disappoint because it is anchored in the promises of God.
The “vacuum” of God’s presence, while painful, is not without purpose. In fact, it becomes a furnace in which our character is refined. The deeper our longing, the stronger our perseverance; the stronger our perseverance, the more our character reflects the likeness of Christ. Through this process, we develop an unshakeable hope, a hope that empowers us to keep pressing forward, knowing that the fullness we long for will one day be realised.
The Blessed Fellowship of the Spirit in the Present
While only a few will enter into the deepest fellowship with the Spirit in this present age, that does not mean that God is withholding His presence from His children. The Holy Spirit has been given to all believers as a guarantee of the fullness to come. Even now, God is at work in our lives, transforming us, renewing us, and filling us with His presence, though not always in the dramatic or tangible ways that we might desire.
Ephesians 1:13-14 speaks of the Holy Spirit as a seal of our inheritance, saying, “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Godās possession.” The Holy Spirit, though He does not always manifest Himself in powerful ways, is still at work within us, and He is the down payment of the fullness we will one day experience in eternity.
In the meantime, we press on in faith, knowing that the longing we feel is not wasted. Our faith, though it may feel weak at times, is precious in Godās sight. It is through our longing, our waiting, and our seeking that we grow deeper into the fullness of Christ. This is where faith without sight shinesāthrough the Holy Spirit, we experience God’s presence even when we cannot see or touch Him directly.
However, the fruit of the Spirit offers us a powerful reminder that Godās presence is still at work within us, even in times of longing and waiting. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul outlines the evidence of the Spiritās work: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” These qualities are tangible signs of Godās ongoing presence, even in the absence of dramatic spiritual experiences. While we may long for a greater revelation of God or a more tangible encounter with the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit assures us that He is still moving within us.
In our waiting, the Holy Spirit cultivates these virtues in usālove when we feel alone, joy in the midst of sorrow, peace when turmoil surrounds us, and patience when it feels like fulfilment is delayed. These fruits of the Spirit are not simply abstract ideals; they are evidence of Godās work, a quiet but profound testimony to His ongoing presence and transformative power.
Even when we feel the vacuum of longing or the weight of waiting, the Holy Spirit is shaping our character to reflect the likeness of Christ. These qualities become not only the markers of spiritual growth but also the proof of Godās faithfulness. Through them, we experience the kingdom “already” present in us, as they bring glimpses of the future fulfilment when we will experience God’s presence fully and without restraint.
The Ultimate Fulfilment: Glory to Come
Ultimately, the fullness of God that we long for will only be fully realised in the age to come. In 1 John 3:2, we are reminded that “when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” The fullness we seek will be perfectly fulfilled when we are glorified, when our bodies and souls are transformed to be like Christ, and when we are fully united with Him. In that day, the vacuum will be no more. We will experience the fullness of God in ways that we can scarcely imagine.
Revelation 21:3-4 gives us a glorious picture of this future hope:
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, āLook! Godās dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.ā”
In that day, all tears will be wiped away, and the deficiency of our current experience of God will be forever gone. We will be one with Him, seeing Him face to face, experiencing the fullness of His glory and presence. This is the hope that fuels us as we continue on the journey of faith. Until that day comes, the vacuum within us reminds us to seek, to believe without seeing, and to trust that God will fill us with Himself in ways we cannot yet fully understand.
In addition to this glorious promise, Isaiah 25:8 provides a powerful image of Godās ultimate victory over suffering and death, enriching the eschatological picture of our future hope:
“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8)
This verse expands on the hope given in Revelation, showing that death and sorrow will be completely vanquished. Not only will God be present with His people, but He will also defeat the very forces of suffering and death that have plagued humanity since the fall. In that day, there will be no more mourning, no more separation, and no more fear of death. Godās final victory over death is a promise that strengthens our longing for the future fulfilment, reminding us that our current longing is not in vain but is a preparation for the eternal joy that awaits us.
Until that day, the vacuum of longing within us is a reminder to seek Him with greater anticipation. It draws us forward, reminding us that the suffering and separation we experience now will be replaced by eternal communion and fulfilment with God. This longing, though painful, stirs in us a hope that transcends the present moment and fuels our perseverance, knowing that our future with God will be far more glorious than we can even comprehend.
Conclusion: The Blessed Longing
The vacuum within us is not a curse but a blessed longingāan invitation from God to enter into deeper communion with Him. This longing reflects both the loss of perfect fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden and the promise of restoration through Christ. As we long for Godās fullness, we are reminded that though it will not be fully realised until we are glorified, this longing is not a sign of abandonment but an active, divine invitation to seek Him with all our hearts.
This longing, though it can be painful, is a key part of our spiritual journey. It is through our yearning for His presence that we are drawn into a deeper knowledge of God and a fuller experience of His Holy Spirit. It is also through longing that we are shaped and transformed, as our faith is tested and refined through waiting and trials. The journey is not easy, but it is a journey that produces perseverance, hope, and spiritual maturity, leading us closer to the ultimate fulfilment we will experience when Christ returns.
As we press forward in faith, we cling to the hope of the “already-not-yet” Kingdom, where the Holy Spirit gives us a foretaste of the glory to come. Our longing reflects our pilgrim status in this worldāit is a longing that fuels our perseverance as we await the future redemption of our bodies and the fulfilment of all things. Ultimately, we long for a day when the vacuum of longing will be filled with the fullness of Godās gloryāa day when suffering and death are swallowed up forever, and we are fully united with Christ in eternal joy.
May we continue to seek Him in the midst of this blessed longing, knowing that He is faithful to fill the hearts of those who truly desire Him. In the waiting, in the longing, and in the seeking, we are being transformed into His image, and one day, we will see Him face to face in the fullness of His gloryāand we shall be like Him (1 John 3:2).