Devotions to Help you Marvel at our God!

Thursday 7.30.09

A church I attended years ago had an annual outreach to our local state college – it was a pig roast for the football team.  That was quite an undertaking.  Feeding 85 Division I college football players is probably the same as feeding like 1,000 normal citizens.

I remember one year in particular when I was assigned to the serving line.  There I stood, spoon in hand, ready to feed these hungry lions…or elephants depending on their position.  Now, up to that point in my life I had watched plenty of football on tv.  And, I was mentally familiar with the size statistics that flashed across the screen telling me how big they were.  But, until you actually see what 6′8″ and 340lbs. looks like next to your own frame – I can honestly say, you have no idea what those numbers mean.

So, as the team began their stampede towards me, I truly began to appreciate the size of these guys (and all-the-while thanking God that I never had to be tackled by one of them).  Finally, this one offensive lineman approached my station.  He is probably, to this day, the biggest human I have ever encountered in my life.  Seriously, grizzly bears would run from him.  Anyway, he stopped in front of me and held out his plates – yes, I said plates.  I faintly remember asking him some stupid question like, “You hungry?”  To which he responded with a determined and emphatic, “Oh, yea!”

Well, I scooped some potatoes onto one of his plates and expected him to move on.  But, he just stood there…as if he was still waiting for something to happen.  I probably insulted him.  It would be like asking a friend if they wanted some M&M’s and then giving them a chocolate sliver from the bottom of the bag.  Thankfully, and probably mostly out of fear, I quickly picked up on his body language.  I shot back with, “Oh you mean hungry like that!”  6 scoops later he seemed to be satisfied and moved on to the next station.

Now, in my mind, that’s a picture of hungry.  Not like a small twinge in the stomach or even a shallow growl.  It’s a thunderous I-need-4-plates-of-food-and-a-gallon-of-drink-to-satisfy-me kind of hungry.  It’s a college football player kind of hungry.  The type of hungry where little old ladies are in danger of being run over.  The type of hungry where padlocks on food closets have no chance.  They type of hungry where leftovers and doggy bags are unheard of.  It’s a determined hungry that stops at nothing until satisfied.  It’s the type of hungry we are called to be in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

As followers of Jesus, we are called to hunger and thirst after something.  It’s not food and drink, but righteousness (right standing with God).  This hunger does not come naturally, it must be sought and pursued.  It’s the type of hunger that interrupts our schedules.  It’s the type of hunger that and runs over pursuits of lesser importance.  It’s the type of hunger that stops at nothing until satisfied.  It’s the type of hunger that desires and seeks God, His kingdom, and my own holiness.

When we hunger like that…after things like that…we have the promise that our souls will be satisfied.  Spiritually speaking, we can pat our stomachs in glad delight and fulfillment, for God has served us an everlasting, soul-satisfying meal.  He has placed Christ into our hearts.

Alive-2-Christ,

Kendall C.