The appetite of
laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.
-- Proverbs
16:26
What's your idea of a great meal?
For some folks, a grilled steak, baked potato and tossed salad
always hit the spot. Others love pizza, Chinese or seafood. And let's not
forget those who crave vegetarian.
Our tastes and taste buds might vary widely, but its hunger that
unites us. Likewise, we all share another type of appetite that has nothing to
do with cheeseburgers and ice cream. It's the spiritual hunger that's
hard-coded in our 
DNA. Inside, everyone has a gnawing desire to
fill a gaping internal void. Some try through negative pursuits involving
drugs, alcohol, compulsive spending or gambling. Others rely on long hours in
the office or escaping reality through online gaming, television or even
travel. But after the thrill is gone, the hunger always returns. And there's
never any satisfaction.
DNA. Inside, everyone has a gnawing desire to
fill a gaping internal void. Some try through negative pursuits involving
drugs, alcohol, compulsive spending or gambling. Others rely on long hours in
the office or escaping reality through online gaming, television or even
travel. But after the thrill is gone, the hunger always returns. And there's
never any satisfaction.
Jesus addressed this spiritual starvation by proclaiming (and
proving) himself to be the "food" that everyone craves. It's when we
accept him as our Lord and Savior that he fills the void and nourishes our lives.
We just need to be willing to ask, listen and obey.
Spiritual hunger isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, we all
need a drive--a certain level of intensity--to continue developing as
Christ-followers. That's because the old saying is true: life is a journey rather than a wide
spot in the road. God has so many things for us to see, experience
and comprehend during our brief existence on Earth. That's how we grow and
mature into Jesus' likeness.
Unfortunately, too many Christ-followers become spiritually
malnourished because they stop seeking meaning in their lives. The solution is
to grow in faith by making the most of the people, places and situations that
we encounter each day. That means developing our spiritual muscles through regular Bible study, prayer, worship, small group
participation and other positive habits. After all, there's nothing like a good
workout to whet ones appetite.
Are you hungry for more than bland, mundane existence? There's
plenty of good stuff on the menu:
"I am the bread of life," Jesus declares. "He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."
"I am the bread of life," Jesus declares. "He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."
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