Curb That Hunger!

After returning home from the gym this morning, I was starving! I know I use that word loosely, since I have no idea what it’s like to truly starve, but my stomach seriously felt as if it were eating itself away. Maybe it would be more proper to say I was famished, ravenous, or simply HUNGRY. My mind and body were weak and tired and I knew I needed food immediately! However, NOTHING sounded the least bit appealing. I honestly couldn’t find or think of anything I wanted to eat. Fruit, yogurt, a sandwich, not even my favorite crackers and hummus or pumpkin pie sounded pleasing! Nope, nothing. Regardless, God designed our bodies to tell our brains when we have no energy and are in need of fuel, and my body was doing exactly that. So of course, I did what any rational person does, and fed it.

You know, I often have these same struggles during my ‘time’ with the Lord. Oh how I wish I could say I was super spiritual and that I hunger after His word daily. I want to say that every time I sit with Him, whether in the scriptures or in prayer, I am given a perfect word for whatever situation I am in. This is so untrue in my life. 

Have you ever craved a big greasy burger loaded with cheese, bacon, mayo, and a big fat white bun? Finish it off with fries on the side, and don’t forget the diet Pepsi (no Coke, please)!  When we give in to this craving, oh how that burger hits the spot and satisfies like nothing else could. Now I’m beginning to form an appetite!

Just as that burger satisfies our physical hunger, God’s Word satisfies our spiritual hunger. And you know what? So often I am spiritually famished, starving to be filled. Yet, I open my bible, turning to some of my favorite Psalms, a chapter in Proverbs, or one of my usual landing places, such as the book of James or Philippians, and I am left completely unsatisfied. God doesn’t seem to be speaking to me, His Word isn’t applying to my life, and I feel I am simply reading for reading’s sake. Know what I’m talking about?

What are we to do in this situation? How do we deal with times of ‘silence’ from the Word? When our spirit is hungry, yet God’s Word is undesirable, are we to just remain in our famished, ravenous state? Why, that would be as ridiculous as starving our body its necessary food simply because ‘nothing sounds enticing.’ Yet, how often do we do just that: go days upon days, or even months upon months without reading the Word because it’s not satisfying us the way we desire. That is utterly selfish, and I am guilty of such. Are you?

 I’m amazed at how much we do because of selfish ambition or gain. Why can’t I read the Word daily only because God says to (Josh 1:8); because it pleases my Father (2 Tim 2:15)? Why don’t I turn to it consistently because I know what I read will NOT return void (Isa 55:22) even if I feel it is unfruitful in my life at the moment?  I so desire to read God’s Word out of pure love and devotion to Him (John 14:23-24) rather than selfishly seeking to gain some revelation or special feeling that may not always be granted.  Jesus said if we are faithful in the little things, He will make us ruler over many things (Matt 25:21). Let’s start with this ‘little’ thing. Will you commit with me to read God’s Word every day for the next week, even if you are stuck reading for reading’s sake? It’s a small goal, and completely doable! Let’s do this together!

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

-Job 23:12

Around and Around

The changes of seasons are sometimes beautiful and anxiously anticipated.  We look forward to the colors of fall, moving into a schedule with the new school year, and the coming of gathered family for the holidays. On the other hand, this new season can bring dreaded coldness and dryness distinctly unlike the drought of summer. We may begin moving about each day as if in some sort of trance, stuck in the daily grind of work, school, sports, laundry, dishes, only to tuck the kids in at night so we can wake and do it all over again. Oh the mundaness of it all. Hehe, my computer tells me ‘mundaness’ is not a word. It is obviously NOT a mother, because this word fits into my life day in and day out. Yours?


How about you?  Do you ever have that feeling of being stuck in a rut?  Ever feel as if you’re in a dry wilderness, gasping for a taste of God, a small drop of His presence, just a sip of His Word; struggling for life? Your soul thirsting for God, your flesh longing for Him, in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water (Ps 63:1). At times we feel as if we wander, gazing upon the mountain before us, longing for that mountaintop experience. We know we’ve been there before, long ago.  We remember the sensation; the same one Peter, James, and John must have felt as they stood atop that mount with the transfigured Lord of Lords (Matt 17). Looking back summons feelings of disgust at our current, parched situation.  “How did I get here again?  Why do I do this to myself?  Why do I do it to You, Lord? Where have I gone wrong?” We may even plead with Him to take us from this place. 

Recently an elder of my home fellowship referred to this mountain in life in a sermon entitled Who are your Angels?. He described it as having a track around it and talked of walking around and around that track; around and around that mountain.  He went on to tell how he repeatedly saw the same scenery over and over again. In his frustrated and discouraged state he said, “He we are again, same old place, God.” Sound familiar?  I had to laugh as he shared only because I’ve been in the same place so many times myself. However, God responded to his cries of frustration, whispering, “No. Every time you go around that track you are higher on the mountain.”[1] This, my dear sister, was a drop of God’s presence for a thirsty soul. This was a sip of His Word that we so long for when in that place. God is faithful and sometimes we just need a change in perspective.

 The way of life winds upward for the wise,

That he may turn away from hell below.

~Proverbs 15:24

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[1] Terry Nelson – Sunday, Nov 6, 2011 “Who are your Angels?” http://camasfellowship.org/media/sermons/special/terrynelson11062011/