Years ago, as a new mom, I quickly learned a hot, complete meal was a rarity.
Somehow my daughter, who happily cooed all day, became fussy at precisely dinnertime. My attempts to feed, change and put her in front of Baby Einstein prior to serving dinner proved futile. Isabella determined 5 p.m. to be her "I need extra attention from mom" time. It must have been the smell of my good cooking.
So I learned to eat cold food.
I learned to get by on a few small bites at meal time.
Eventually, my body got used to it. Missing a meal or two didn't leave me hungry.
When I returned to work, I carried the same habit of not eating. Colleagues scheduled my lunch times on their calendar.
Hunger pains ceased. The growling in my stomach ceased. My desire for meals ceased.
Recently over the last three weeks, I have been hungry again.
Spiritually hungry.
At first, I recognized the hunger pains and snacked on a scripture here or there, but eventually I kept the bible closed and my hunger pains began to dissipate.
Early this morning at 4 a.m., I couldn't sleep.
Perhaps I will fold the laundry. Maybe I'll clean the bathroom. I could sort the shoes in my closet.
A faint whisper in my heart said to feast on the Word.
Ignoring the whisper, I laid wide awake, which of course, only fueled my restlessness.
The downstairs closet needs to be cleaned out. Coupons need to be cut.
Read the Word. Partake in the Bread of Life.
After searching for my bible, I opened it up to my bookmark...where I last read.
Psalm 42
"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul thirsts for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God...My tears have been my food day and night..."
That's it! I have been thirsty and hungry for God.
For the past several weeks, I've been living off last month's hearty meals of God's Word, relying on them to carry me through my days. I remember eating three times a day. The more I tasted God's goodness through scripture, the more I craved it. The more I ate, the more satisfied I was. If I skipped a meal, those hunger pains signaled my need to open the book and inhale the sweet aroma and fragrant spices of scripture.
My busy life got in the way and I slowly began missing spiritual meals to the point of exhaustion.
Hunger pains ceased. The growling in my stomach ceased. My desire for meals ceased.
Not until I opened His word, did I see how deprived I really was.
Reflecting on my week....irritable, short tempered, frustrated, weary, lazy...those were the unrecognizable hunger pains of my soul.
"Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, buy and eat, Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost...Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to me..." Isaiah 55:1-3
Grab a seat at God's banqueting table! He serves the richest of fare!
What are your spiritual hunger pains? How has feasting on His Word satisfied you?
