Isn’t there somebody somewhere who talks about God being hungry for us? Or God is hungry for our love? I’m sure there is, although I can’t place it right now.
Anyway, we were invited in “Unbinding the Gospel” to read John 6 about Jesus feeding the crowd of people and then to ask Christ which hungry people he would like us to feed: Salvation Army, homeless shelter, food bank, Heifer Project, etc. I checked off what I had already done this last month. OK, Lord, anything else?
“But I’m hungry for you.”
Huh?
In our group’s commitment to read scripture, reflect with the prayer journal and pray for one another for 40 days, I suppose we are doing it with an assumption that it will be good for us, good for the congregation and we will get a blessing out of it…and because the pastor asked us to do it. But as much as the John 6 crowd seemed to be hungry for bread out in the middle of nowhere, Jesus seemed hungry for his disciples’ understanding and partnership.
So, again, what if the Lord is so hungry to be with us that he can hardly wait for us to sit down, open up our Bible and open up our lives and our hearts?
Joseph says
Anything to put an emphasis on Spreading God’s word. For Christians, to stay in his word everyday to bring us closer to him. To Speak and discuss and spread with others what the Lord has done for us, how he has helped us in out times of need. As Christians…… that is our Job! What a fun job it is.
Judy says
Just wanted to say that there are a number of passages that talk about God longing for us….and that people want to run in the other direction! In Isaiah 30:15, God tells the Israelites that in repentance and rest is their salvation, in quietness and trust their strength, but they don’t want that! They want to flee on horses! And their actions are recorded, but then God’s response again, in verse 18, is that the Lord longs to be gracious, and waits on how to have compassion. In the last chapter of Zephaniah, the prophet talks about God taking delight in us, quieting us with his love, rejoicing over us with singing. And as I write this, I realize that I have NEVER felt that God would rejoice over me with singing!!
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> The story of Adam and Eve shows God’s longing for us, too….God was looking for them in the garden, to walk with them, but sin kept them hiding. Which suddenly brought to mind Tony Acheson’s lyric from Praise Our Great Creator….”sin makes us think we are worthless, but our God calls us sons most dear. We share God’s own likeness; he is longing to bless all that we touch, all we do….oh, my God, glory to you be for making me, I’m fearfully and wondrously made, I’m wondrously made!
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> There’s also a song by Wayne Watson….”His gaze always passes through rose colored glasses, everytime he looks on my heart….and through love’s forgiveness, through purity’s fire, I am my God’s desire.”
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> Just some thoughts on the hunger, i.e.longing, i.e. desire of God….for us
Elaine Dent says
Thanks, Joe. And Judy, I love how you bring music into it. Isaiah 30 has gotten me through some tough times. Thanks for helping me see it in a new way and adding your musical voice and perspective! Maybe someday you will write a song about God being hungry for all of us.