A Hungry Hike

When I was about sixteen, I went on a week-long leadership training course. At three o’ clock one morning, we were rudely awaked and ordered to pack everything we would need for a 36 hour hike. We found ourselves a few hours later watching the sunrise and reading our first instructions. If we followed the directions correctly, we would locate some food and our next bearing.

Three hours later, we were delighted to find the food and wolfed down every last scrap before reading the next instructions ... which told us NOT to eat all the food at once because it was intended to last us until 12pm the next day!

You would not believe how hunger can focus one’s attention. We didn’t dally or dawdle on that hike. We read every future instruction as if our lives depended on it. We sorted our priorities with clarity. Not even girls would have distracted us – unless they had food offer. We had one desire: to get to the fast food outlet at Ruwa for hamburgers as soon as possible.

Desires are immensely motivating. And we are driven by many different desires. Yet how often are we gripped by things that are close to God’s heart? Can we describe our spiritual life as passionate? Make a list of five things you long for in order of importance ... informative?

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matt 5:6)”. Paul wrote, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 14:1)”.

I want God to release transforming energy into my life, energy to transform myself and my sphere of influence for the glory of God and the extension of His Kingdom. But I am realising that it starts with a God-given hunger.

It says in Psalm 103 that God “satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's (v5)”. It stands to reason that the desires referred to here are godly ones, but look at the result! A satisfied, God-given desire renews your youth like the eagle’s. The rhythm of desire and satisfaction leading to greater desire will have you soaring the thermals of God’s power and plans.

So ask God to plant a hunger in your heart. Perhaps you should ask Him first thing every morning for a week. Look for the stirrings of new life and carefully tend the sapling of godly desire till it grows into a fruitful tree.

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)."

Cheers for now - Ian