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I was enjoying breakfast when God showed up.

Halfway through my store-brand yogurt mixed with fresh blueberries, God floated a question across my mind: Are you hungry? 

I replied, “Of course I’m hungry. That’s why I’m having breakfast.”

He then floored me with, No, are you truly hungry or are you just eating? That’s when our discussion morphed into a monologue, and I tried to keep up.

When we’re not really hungry, we approach food as optional. We develop a choosy, disinterested mindset. If we do find something to eat, we pick at it and often leave leftovers behind.

A hungry or starving person has no doubt about his hunger. He has to eat. Hunger pangs make him intentional. When he finds a food source, he devours it. He may even eat things that normally aren’t at the top of his menu selections—and eat them at places he never thought he’d go. Only food satisfies a truly hungry person. Real hunger makes us behave in strange, yet passionate and intentional ways.

Now back to my conversation with God. Jesus said those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness would be filled. But the secret is hungering for it—not picking and choosing as we aimlessly wander up and down God’s spiritual buffet. Nothing else quenches our craving. Our appetite is only for Him and His delicacies.

When I hunger for God and His righteousness, my attitude and actions change. I prioritize specific time with Him. I crave His insight, conviction, and direction. I devour those things He offers that I normally wouldn’t accept. Like David, my heart pants for Him. Like Mary, I want to sit in His presence. Like Paul, I set my affections on things above. And like Jesus, I invite others to God’ feast.

Ask God to help you never settle for the unhealthy fast food of the world and its alluring distractions.

God, give us spiritual hunger pangs that drive us to the banquet hall of Your Word. Grant us the intentional desire to feast in Your presence. Quench our insatiable hunger with only Yourself.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)