In Thick and Thin Desires
by Jessica Lacy (Long Beach, CA) originally published in Edition 26 of Inicio, Dec. 17th, 2025
The holidays and approaching new year have a way of amplifying the desires that have lived in us all year. Excitement at time off– desire for rest, for the peace that comes with balance, for the joy and purpose that comes when we have space to pursue what we love. Increased loneliness– longing for steady connection or perhaps a stronger, safer sense of family. Joy around traditions— a hope to experience a familiar goodness. They come in all forms.
Luke Burgis in his book Wanting distinguishes between thin and thick desires. Thin being more finite, external things that won’t ultimately satiate and thick being the core goods that make life deeply satisfying and joy-filled. Even thin desires, when examined, point us to what’s deeper and thicker within us. I once longed to make a certain amount of income annually and eventually realized I was really longing to feel significant. Our desires, thick or thin, become the starting point for self discovery and conversation with God. What do we want, or at least think we want? What does that reveal about our core longings? Are we courageous enough to hold those before an imaginative, generous, active, wise Giver, especially when they’ve felt unmet for so long or seem too self-aggrandising? And yet, it’s the pathway to becoming the new vessel that is big enough and free enough to contain the abundance Christ speaks of. The cost is high, the reward greater.
Jessica will be leading ReAlign in January to support participants in connecting to and living out of their core values. See below for more details
In Reflection
Begin in stillness with God, gently noticing where you’re feeling a sense of discontent in this season.
What do you imagine would alleviate that discontent? This will point to a longing.
Can you name that longing outloud or write it down? “I long for….”
Ask the Lord, “Is there a thicker longing beneath what you’re illuminating?”
If something comes to mind, write it down or say it out loud, “God, I long for…”
Continue the conversation in written or spoken word by sharing more about this longing with God. Leave some silence after or while sharing to notice what you sense.
Ask God, “Is there any way you’re illuminating for me to participate with you in light of this longing?”
Close by asking God for what you need to participate well.
In the Nuosphere
ReAlign- Year End Reflection & New Year Invitations
How many times have we made New Years resolutions based on an idealized version of ourselves? ReAlign provides an opportunity to reflect on 2025, to harvest your core values, and to let them illuminate your invitations for 2026 so you can put your effort toward the goals that feel most aligned and enlivening to your soul and the world around you!
Endings, Beginnings, and Liminal Spaces Retreat
Start off the new year with an embodied exploration of how to navigate transitions. In this retreat we’ll explore rituals to help us grieve, celebrate, and release so that we can move forward with freedom and clarity, as well as exercises to integrate gifts from past seasons into our present lives. Retreat is taking place online, Saturday, January 10.
Professional Formation Group Spiritual Direction
Does the work I do matter to God? This monthly one-hour group is a contemplative space for business professionals to bring real-time questions, tensions, and longings from their work life into a spiritual formation community. Next session is January 15.
Business, Entrepreneurship, & Organizational Leadership Spiritual Formation Cohort
This is a two semester learning group for experienced business and organizational Leaders and spiritual directors who desire to become more familiar with the unique spiritual pilgrimage experience of those whose vocation is in business. Next cohort begins January 22.
Group Spiritual Direction Training: Beyond the Basics
Ready to take the next step in deepening your skills in group direction work. This course is for the spiritual director who has already learned the basics and is seeking to develop more advanced skills in group work. This 3-session course begins February 2, 2026.
1:1 Career Transition Coaching
Do you find yourself at a crossroads in your career? This 8-week personalized program supports professionals navigating job loss, burnout, or transition. Through guided reflection, one-on-one coaching, and community, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection between your authentic self and meaningful work.