Even though I grew up in Tennessee, and all my family still lives there, I have lived in Texas for most of the last twenty-nine years. A funny thing happens to a person when they live here for a while (besides Texas pride!). We develop this great love for Mexican food. Actually it's Tex-Mex, which is simply Texas style Mexican food. This "great love" for Mexican food gradually becomes a craving. I love seafood, and I love a good steak, but I can go weeks or months without them and not really think about it. But if I go much more than a week without Mexican food, I begin to feel deprived. A yearning begins inside me that only that taste can satisfy.
Recently I went home to visit my family, and we spent several days in Gatlinburg. We had a wonderful time visiting, playing, and, of course, eating. There are some great restaurants there, and we sure did eat well (a little too well!). When we returned to Texas, it was time for school to start, and things were pretty hectic around the house. But despite being busy, the craving started. Thoughts of Mexican food filled my mind, nothing else would do. I began to plan a time when I could squeeze in a few minutes to slip away to my favorite place. I was almost like a person possessed! When I entered the restaurant, just the smell of the seasonings in the air gave me the joy of anticipation. I ate with pure enjoyment and walked out with a smile on my face--filled and satisfied. I actually said, "Thank you, Lord, for earthly pleasures."
And then the thought occurred to me--do I crave God like that? Do I yearn for time with Him and plan for opportunities to slip away to talk to Him, listen to Him, no matter how busy I am? Is there a longing in my spirit that only He can satisfy, nothing else will do? Do I look forward to our time together with joy and anticipation? And when I leave that time with Him, am I filled and satisfied? That's what He desires. It's amazing that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Who knows all things and has all power, desires to spend time with me. He desires to spend time with you. Larnell Harris sings a song in which God is talking to someone who hasn't set aside time to meet with Him in a while. God is saying, "I miss my time with you." He misses us!! But we're the one who misses out on the greater benefit.
What is it you crave in life? What do you long for with all your soul? Is it God? If not, just ask Him to create that longing in you, to give you a hunger for His Word, and He will do so because it is His will. Now every time I hunger for Mexican food, I am reminded to pray that He will give me a greater hunger for Him!
Becky
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