Twelve years ago, we started with a question:
“Why do some people grow in the Lord and change, but others drift away?”
Recently, I heard an answer to that question:
“You have to stay hungry for the things of God”
What keeps us hungry? What does that even mean?
- Physical “hunger” can be in our heads sometimes; we’re not in “hunger” we’re simply “hungry”
- People eat out of stress, extreme emotional need, and boredom
- While satisfying, it comes from habit. Something else is driving that need
- Isn’t hunger for the Lord a good thing?
- Yes, but if that hunger can be quenched if something else is motivating it
- We’re “hungry” but not in “hunger”
- Our pursuit can be fair weather, temporary,
or shut off when a more carnal motivator is appeased
If I’m motivated to seek God because He tells me I’m awesome and that’s all I ever hear, that can be taken away with one correction or lack of approval. It’s not genuine hunger. My need to be approved/appreciated/accepted is driving my hunger for God. Once that’s satisfied, so is my pursuit.
Long Term Hunger Effects (Natural)
- Reduced activity/motor skills
- Inhibited growth
- Reduced motivation to explore/learn
- Reduced interaction with others (social) esp. family
Long Term Hunger Causes
- Lack of consuming food (not necessarily access)
- Eating only one type of food group (lack of balance)
Spiritual Hunger Causes
- Receiving one type of personal ministry or focus without any challenge to change, serve, repent, demonstrate mercy/compassion/love, forgive, etc.
- Not pursuing personal prayer, study, and fellowship time
Long Term Spiritual Hunger Effects
- Reduced activity that is kingdom focused or participatory in the church
- Inhibited personal growth in the Lord
(pursuit/followup of personal call, development, serving) - Reduced motivation to seek His Will
How to address it?
- Look at where you spend time
- Are you spending any and what priority does it have
- Is it an afterthought (when all else is unavailable or when forced out of responsibility)
- Is it something you look forward to or just a checkbox
- Where do you spend the most time? why – what does doing that do for you?
(these are not meant to condemn the activity, merely understand it’s influence)
- Where can you get that kind of satisfaction from the Lord?
- What would that look like?
Start SMALL
- Your stomach needs to be coaxed back into normal use after a long fast and your spirit needs yield to regular discipline — gradually and consistently
Keep it Balanced
- Read several areas (personal correction/application [where do i need to change], inspiration/affirmation/promises, knowledge)
Keep it SOCIAL
- Eating is best done with those you care about and love;
spend time together sharing a ‘meal’ of Scripture- What it meant to you
- What you saw
- What others think about it
- Where it could be applied practically in everyday life