Our Hearts are Restless
Man Hungers for God
We were made for God. Now, to be very clear: God is far greater than our minds can comprehend. His greatness surpasses every human imagination. As the prophet Isaiah reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord”(Isaiah 55:8). Yet, despite His infinite nature, God has placed a longing for Him within every human heart. We are practically stamped within our human nature with this insatiable desire for the absolute God. From the moment of creation, this desire has been imprinted on our souls — an ache to seek the One who made us.
But the noise and distractions of modern life often bury this deep longing, making faith feel distant and hard to grasp. Our digital age makes this noise all the lourder. Yet, as Augustine pointed out, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You” (St. Augustine, Confessions 1:1). The puzzle of life’s busyness leaves us searching for answers, and the key to unlocking this desire is found in stillness, prayer, and connecting with God.
It’s important that we understand, however, that our journey of faith begins not with our initiative but with God's invitation. “The longing for God is so deeply rooted in the human heart that even those who deny Him cannot eradicate it” (Venerable Fulton Sheen). From the first moment of our lives, God is present — walking with us, loving us, and desiring communion with us. His invitation never ceases. He wants to draw us to Himself.
“God himself, in creating man in his own image, has written upon his heart the desire to see him. Even if this desire is often ignored, God never ceases to draw man to himself because only in God will he find and live the fullness of truth and happiness for which he never stops searching. By nature and by vocation, therefore, man is a religious being, capable of entering into communion with God. This intimate and vital bond with God confers on man his fundamental dignity.” (CCCC 2)
When life leaves us feeling alone or lost, God’s presence remains. Jesus reassures us in the Gospel: “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Even in suffering, Christ remains close, offering peace the world cannot give. If we look back on our lives prayerfully, we can often trace God’s providential hand and fatherly guidance — even in the hardest moments. Our faith teaches us that our trials find their fullest meaning when entrusted to the hands of our Father.
To converse with God is to enter into the mystery of divine love. Love is not merely a fleeting emotion but the self-giving sacrifice of God Himself. As St. John teaches, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
We glimpse this sacrificial love in the lives of those around us — parents who give their lives for their children, friends who walk with us in difficult times, or strangers who extend kindness without seeking anything in return. These daily acts of love point us back to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. The more we meditate on God’s sacrificial love, the more our hearts expand to receive it.
True freedom is found not in independence but in surrender. When we acknowledge God's love and invite Him into every aspect of our lives, we discover what it means to be truly free. Jesus proclaims, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
This freedom brings with it joy, peace, and hope — the fruits of a life anchored in God’s love. The world may offer fleeting happiness, but only Christ offers the lasting peace that satisfies the deepest desires of our hearts.
God’s love is never meant to be kept to ourselves. Everyone hungers for Him. So, when we live in daily conversation with God, His love radiates outward, touching the lives of those around us. Even small acts of kindness — a smile, a prayer, a word of encouragement — can have a profound impact. As St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Living our faith in the small, hidden ways of daily life creates ripples that can transform families, communities, and the world. The Holy Spirit moves through us when we trust in God's timing and surrender ourselves to His plan. “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6).
The journey toward God begins with this crucial step — a simple desire to seek Him and surrender to Him. This desire is a gift from the Holy Spirit, drawing us into deeper union with the Father through Christ. As we surrender ourselves to God’s love, we become instruments of His grace in the world.
May we trust Our Lord and Our Lady to guide us along this path. Through prayer, the Sacraments, and a heart open to God’s love, we will find the fulfillment of our deepest desire: eternal communion with God.