You can be hungry for fame, money, success, beauty, and all sorts of worldly things. But you can also be hungry for God's will to be done - hungry to do good.
When you look at the needs around you (or even within you), your spiritual stomach might start to growl, helping you focus on the God who feeds us in every way imaginable (Psalm 146:7). That's the good kind of hunger!
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Making a difference in the world is a marathon, not a sprint. We sometimes have to realize that all great things take time. The longer you continue, the more of an impact you will have.
FOCUS YOUR HUNGER
Don't let your craving for results sideline or confuse you. Sure it would be easier to leave the road or look for a shortcut, but it's worth it to keep pounding the pavement (or the desert, as the case may be). Though hunger could lead you to leave the path, it could lead you to stay too.
The faith of those five thousand-plus people following Jesus was really amazing. They waited it out. Something drove them to see what was at the end of the road. Maybe they needed to be healed, maybe they needed hope, or maybe they knew they might see something incredible happen. They stayed because their hearts were hungry.
Do we stay for that reason? It is much easier for us to leave the road in search of a quick fix. But that would be like giving up a secret weapon. There's a trick to turning a lack of results into fuel for your mission. How? When you start to get frustrated because you're not seeing things happen, weed and water. Plan and pray. Strategize and ask for support. And continue to dream.
Keep your mind on those veggies. Or that deep-dish pizza. Or that school in Africa. Wait if you have to. And always keep your prayer on. That stalling may just mean that your results will be bigger than you expected. Start to realize that a miracle might be just around the corner. If you give up, you might miss the feeding of the multitudes with your lunch. Remember that food-seeking missile you become when you haven't eaten all day? It's powerful. It's focused. And it can be used for a mission.
- Live to Give, Austin Gutwein
Lately, it has been really tough.
"Do You really want me to do this? Is this really according to Your will? Do I really have to go this far? Is it really worth it?"
In the past months, I saw how God's grace made things happen. It's overwhelming and how I wished everyone saw it too.
But then, for every victory that came, there was always a "price to pay". A part of the walking multitudes chose to look for a different veggies, a different pizza, a different school in Africa. People are hungry for different things. And sometimes, we may crave for the same results, but we differ on the path that we take. Some chose a different road, some chose a shortcut, some chose to keep pounding the pavement.
In spite of all that, I praise God for letting me realize such things.
He wants me to do this; but not all will be there to do this with me.
But He will stay with me always.
This is according to His will; even if others find it absurd.
Because from the start, He made it clear why I am here.
I have to go this far and continue; though some may leave and stop.
But He will continue to walk with me.
And yes, it is worth it; even if it gets frustrating.
Because He is worth all of it.
When things get really tough and frustrating, the only way to be able to go on is to pray. And keep your focus on the kind of hunger that gives glory to God.
Reminding myself again... Colossians 3:23.
Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to man.
Be hungry. To God be the glory. ♥
