I pray you’ll join us and learn new and exciting things too from His Word.
This Week We're Looking at Hunger
"Hungry I come to You, For I know You satisfy..." So begins one of my favorite songs from Vineyard Worship. These words resonate with a deep, deep part of me. You see, I have a long history of trying to fill myself with all the wrong things.
As a young girl, I never felt confident in my personality, my likeability, in my body. But my intellect never failed me. I relied on the accolades and applause from teachers and other adults to measure my worth. And at home I could stuff down boredom, insecurity, and shame with food. Too much of it. My curves came much earlier to me than most of my friends. And I felt ashamed of them. I saw myself as “fat” compared to the flat, lanky bodies of most girls.
As a young woman who took diet pills to finally look the way I wanted, I found my sufficiency in the attention of men. This only led to a different kind of shame and a dark emptiness when break-ups and rejection still came.
As a young mom and fitness instructor, getting enough exercise and staying within my calorie restrictions became the barometer for how “good” I was. The stronger and more fit, the more whole I felt. Until I suffered a series of injuries and couldn’t do all the things. Then came a cancer diagnosis and four surgeries within a year’s time. Chemo in between. I couldn’t exercise at all for quite some time. Without a way to be active I packed on the pounds.
Now here I am, a not so young mom in the middle of a much-needed weight loss journey. 24 pounds down and many more to go. I can’t use food to soothe anymore, and I’m struck with a realization I’ve known all along. The truth of it finally sinks in–the hunger I have is for righteousness, for Jesus. He preached about it in one of His most famous sermons (Matthew 5:6). God used my hunger for food, fame, accolades, and attention to humble me. He showed me my true dependence on Him to meet my needs, and now, just as He did the Israelites (Deuteronomy 8:3), He feeds me from His hand.
When I take my eyes off the feast God spreads before me and the joy Jesus brings, the old cravings sneak up on me. I am woefully insufficient to meet my own needs, and there is nothing this world has to offer that can substitute. But when I sit back down to His table once again (He never rescinds the invitation), I find my true worth as His guest.
"Hungry I come to You, For I know You satisfy..."
Daily I get to feast on His Holy Word, His love, His compassion (Isaiah 49:10) and His promises–promises to work all things for my good (Romans 8:28). The more I trust in His provisions, the less I crave all the other things. I find rest from striving. The God-shaped hole fills up.
“Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.'” John 6:35
Lauren also hosts the Grace & Truth Weekly Link-up and would love to have you link up on Friday!
The ABCs of God's Love Letter Scripture Memory Cards
The ABCs of God's Love Letter Bible Study is accompanied by a collection of 25 5 X 5 Scripture Memory Cards. We'll utilize this great tool to help us memorize a Scripture verse once a week that goes with the topic we're studying that week. Hiding God's Word in our heart is so important!
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What does Hunger mean to you?
21 Comments
9/29/2020 09:07:59 am
Thank you for this testimony, Lauren. It's so easy to get distracted by so many other things. But Jesus is the only one who truly satisfies.
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9/29/2020 10:29:00 am
So easy to know but hard to trust enough to implement. That's been my journey. But I'm glad to learn later rather than never!
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9/29/2020 01:53:30 pm
Lauren,
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9/29/2020 03:54:35 pm
Thank you, Leslie. It's comforting to know it's relatable and I'm not out here by myself!
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9/29/2020 05:32:37 pm
Thank you for sharing so honestly Lauren. "The more I trust in His provisions, the less I crave all the other things. I find rest from striving. The God-shaped hole fills up" - so true, I'm grateful to God for this! And that He never rescinds His invitation. Blessings x
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9/29/2020 08:24:17 pm
I'm so grateful for those things as well, Wemi.
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9/29/2020 08:08:28 pm
Thank you for taking us deep into your story. Ours intersect in so many tender places, so I read with hope and gratitude for what Godn is doing in your life.
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9/30/2020 08:16:42 am
Lauren! So nice to see your lovely face and words here!
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10/2/2020 01:25:49 pm
Lauren, this is such a beautiful testimony. Your words would speak to so many young girls and young women. You really need to write a book about this.
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10/2/2020 02:54:01 pm
Thank you for your kind words, Angela. And I will give that book idea some thought!
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10/4/2020 09:09:15 am
Lauren, this is such a moving and inspiring testimony. I love how willing you are to share your vulnerabilities and your spiritual journey to help others along the way. Your words are always so beautiful!
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10/4/2020 05:36:48 pm
Thank you, Shelbee. I always appreciate your encouragement!
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Satan deals heavily in the "not-good-enough" mind games - you are so right - it is in Him we find ourselves accepted and fulfilled for who He designed us to be - we start seeing ourselves how He sees us and that changes everything! Your post made me think of "In Him we live and move and have our being" ~ Acts 17:28!
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10/5/2020 05:56:06 pm
I love that verse, Maryleigh. Thank you so much for reading and weighing in!
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10/6/2020 09:28:25 am
I can identify with so much of what you shared, Lauren. Thanks for sharing!
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1/11/2024 10:32:43 am
It's wonderful to read that you could relate to Lauren's post, Donna!! Thanks for sharing!
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1/11/2024 10:34:30 am
Lauren's experience indeed reflects a universal aspect of the human condition—our tendency to hunger for things that ultimately do not satisfy. Your perspective on God's goodness in consistently drawing us back to Him is a powerful reminder of His unwavering love and pursuit of our hearts, Sue. Thank you so much for sharing that! May we continually find our true satisfaction in God, the One who satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts.
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