Are You Hungry?

I have heard it said, "Beggars can't be choosers" but I assure you they can.  I have met some selective and demanding beggars over the years.  I have met many people who would regularly come into the church I attended in San Diego to receive food kept for that purpose.  They preferred to pick and choose what they wanted rather than receive what they were given.  So what we did is have bags prepared beforehand ready to give to those who requested food.  Sometimes we would find some of the food thrown on the ground or deposited in the rubbish bin outside.  Most of the time these people who were not actually hungry at the time, but they were doing their rounds like people go to the shops to buy groceries.

I remember one time I was enjoying some carne asada burritos in Point Loma with friends and we struck up a conversation with a homeless man.  He said he was hungry and we offered to buy him a burrito.  He assured us one burrito alone would not satisfy his ravenous hunger so he wanted money to buy the most expensive item on the menu, something that "would really stick to the ribs," he said.  The more we spoke with him, however, it became apparent that he wasn't really hungry for food but wanted money to use elsewhere.  If the man was truly hungry, I'm thinking he would have been grateful for the offer of quality food we enjoyed ourselves.  (By the way if you know of a quality Mexican taco shop in Sydney, I am keen to hear recommendations.:) )

One thing I find most refreshing in pastoral ministry is when people are actually hungry for the word of God.  We do not need to be prompted to speak enthusiastically about our favourite restaurant or dish because we enjoy freely sharing our discoveries with those who also may appreciate the benefits.  I have found the more physically active I am, the more ravenous my appetite.  Those who are walking in the Spirit and exercising faith in Jesus are more apt to have a spiritual appetite for the word than the sedentary, sleepy Christian.  There is a kind of Christian that resembles a food critic who is much more focused on plating and ambiance than satisfying their spiritual need by feasting on God's word.  Because they are not hungry they sample this or taste that and leave their plate basically full.  A Christian can be like picky eaters who only eat chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese who fill up before going out.  Already full, they have little appetite for the unfamiliar and uncomfortable truths presented by the scriptures for their nourishment.  A spiritually dead person has no appetite for God's word, and thus a desire to receive God's word is a positive sign of life.

Many times my family and I have sat down to eat and we are treated to a rare thing in our household, that of silence.  This is typically an indication we are hungry and the food is great and being enjoyed.  Everyone at some point likely have sat down to eat lunch or dinner because it was the time for lunch or dinner, not because we were really hungry.  It was more of an obligation to appear at the table for the sake of the gathered family or the one who prepared the food than because we are starving and need sustenance.  Brothers and sisters, if we are not hungry for God's word there is likely is something off with our spiritual digestion.  Perhaps we have been feeding on junk and sweets; perhaps we have fasted from spiritual nutrition so long we no longer feel hunger pangs.  It ought not to be pangs of guilt that prompt us to go to church on Sunday or read the Bible but a desire to know God and to feed on His faithfulness.  We joyfully anticipate a special meal to savour every flavourful bite and appreciate the texture, and every word God has written to us is pure and good as He is.

Those who have had their spiritual hunger satisfied by the word of God will be those who tell others of the wondrous things God has revealed to them.  Tasting and eating are things we must do for ourselves, and those who find what is good become walking advertisements of quality establishments.  Having found our satisfaction in Jesus Christ and the scripture, it is ultimately Jesus we proclaim--not a particular church, doctrine or controversial subjects.  We ought to be in fellowship at a church were the word of God is preached and where the fear and love of God unifies.  No church or pastor is perfect, but the problem does not lie in the preaching or teaching when we are not hungry for God's word.  Humbly loving, serving, praying and helping one another in fellowship gives us an appetite for the scriptures the almighty God has provided.  Having received the Living Bread Jesus by faith, our Good Shepherd guides us to pastures of green where we can daily feed and find our hunger satisfied by Him.