I recently had an opportunity to speak with the youth at my church about the subject of hunger. I was surprised by the number of teens who sought me out afterwards to say that although they are lacking in hunger for God, they hungry for hunger.
Hungry for hunger…
I’ve been there.
I spent a few years calling out to God for hunger because I knew it was what I wanted—what I needed. I remember the response I would get from the Lord every time I truly cried out for hunger: surrender.
Surrender? Really? Can’t we do this another way? Isn’t there a way to hold onto all the things that I want to hold onto and still hunger for God?
No. The most that amounts to is a counterfeit hunger based on wishful thinking and regrets. It’s like wishing that you were hungry for nutritional food that would actually satisfy your body’s needs all while you stuff yourself with junk food. It is not enough to just know what you need; you have to make room for that which truly satisfies.
Making that room did not happen for me until I reached the point of desperation. I had spent years surviving with what I deemed “good enough”, but I was spiritually starving. Even though I could lead the Bible studies, mentor the teens, and pray, I knew I was dying inside. There were times during those few years that I would encounter God in worship, or get a word of encouragement, or discover some truth that helped, but it never took me very far. With all that I was holding onto, there wasn’t much room in my heart for the love of God. When I finally admitted that I couldn’t live that way anymore, Jesus rescued me. He helped me to surrender the things I needed to surrender and everything changed. Literally overnight.
That was a little over a year ago and I find myself hungrier than ever! When I tasted how good the love of God is, it became what I craved more than anything. I have an ever growing appetite for the only thing that satisfies. And the more time I feast on his Word and in his presence, the more satisfied and hungry I become.
The hunger started with letting go. It was worth it.
“You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. …How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” –Luke 18:22-25
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33
