You're Not You When You're Hungry
Isaiah 55:1-2 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat, and delight yourselves in rich food.
Hunger and thirst drive us. Food and drink are often used to motivate us or to reward us. Every event or social gathering usually involves food and drink—especially celebratory events like weddings, church dinners, Super Bowl parties, etc. We often make plans for recreation with food and drink in mind—restaurants, bars, movie theaters, ballgames, even bowling alleys—all are place that we go for recreation that have food and drink available. Food and water have even shaped the places where people live; settlements have usually sprung up near rivers and seaports or near roads or railways where supplies can be delivered. So it’s not surprising that God uses thirst and hunger to describe our need for his spirit in our lives.
I’ve had days in my life when I’ve been fasting, or I haven’t had time or money to eat until later in the day. I am almost always irritable and grumpy, and I’ve been encouraged, even ordered on occasion, to eat by my friends or loved ones—I guess they had enough. Have you seen the Snickers commercials? “You’re not you when you’re hungry.” How right they are!
Did you ever consider that our lack of “spiritual food” could cause the same or even more critical results? I know without a doubt that this has happened to me; I’ve overslept or been extremely busy in the morning, and failed to have my morning devotion or even to pray a quick “Good morning” prayer. The next thing I know, my day is going terrible. I’m hot headed, everything is irritating and making me angry, or I can’t find any joy in anything at all. Often if I take just a moment to pray and commune with the Lord, everything changes—the dead flowers start blooming, people suddenly become nice and helpful, and the air smells better—at least that’s how it seems.
God is the source of our lives. When we lose contact with that source we’re like a cut flower; we start to shrivel up and die. Let’s make every effort to stay connected to our lifeblood.
Holy Spirit, we ask that you help us to continue to dine at your abundant table every opportunity that we have. After all, you have the most satisfying buffet in town—and at the right price, too.
God bless us all with his wisdom and love.
eddie