Hunger for the Lord

Scripture: "But when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." (John 14:15-17)

Despite attending church every Sunday, reading the bible out loud during my carpool every morning, writing these blogs every Wednesday, hanging out with friends who are also Christians, I have struggled over several months, feeling distance from God.

My faith was never in question. And, oh, I knew God was right there with me the whole time. But my personal connection, my feeling of closeness, seemed to have wavered a bit. It bothered me a great deal.

God hadn't moved - I knew I had. "Why don't I hear you like I used to?" "Why don't I feel your presence like I used to?" "What's up, Lord?"

As time moved on - I meant to pray about it more ... but time would get away from me. I'm working, listening to the radio, watching TV, reading the paper, writing letters in the lunch room...

Last Sunday, during our bilingual service, our pastor always has a power point display of his sermon so we can follow along as he speaks. One phrase is in English, the next in Spanish. And up on the screen I saw "...hunger for the Lord...". Spanish: "...tener hambre para el

Two things struck me. One, I'm trying to learn Spanish ... and it isn't coming easy. In fact, it's very difficult for me, given my limited ability to memorize information. Two, despite what I said in One, what a great phrase to learn in Spanish.

When I headed home after service, I ran that phrase through my head ... and then I just started talking to God as I drove. I mean - really talking to Him the most I have talked to him in a really long time! It felt really good. I felt Senor...".connected. I once again felt the Holy Spirit stir back into life within me.

Why had I lost my connection to begin with? I was horribly distracted. I was putting music, letters, talk radio, newspapers ... everything in my head - except quiet time with God.

"Tener hambre para el Senor...". What I was feeling ... was "hunger for the Lord". I longed for connection, I longed to hear his voice again, feel his presence. But what it takes is actively setting aside the newspaper, turning off the radio, the CD player, the TV - not even for 15 minutes! All it took was for me to just talk to God as if He was a passenger sitting next to me in my truck. It was amazing in it's simplicity as well as the response I received.

Connected. Spanish: Relacionado.

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." (I Peter 1:15)

Talk about "practicing what you preach". I'm always telling people, "God doesn't care about what you do as much as where your heart is. Go to church, read the bible, DO all the "Christian" things. But in the end, what is your true connection with Christ? Do you hear his voice in the silence? Do you feel the prompting in your spirit to either act on something or conviction to stop doing something?" Now I needed to apply my own words to my life.

He wants your heart. He wants your time. He wants you to hunger for him.
Tener hambre para el Senor

Prayer: Lord, help us to long for you, make time for you. Help us to cut through all the distractions in life with work, home life, errands and personal troubles. Help us to keep you on the front burner at all times, since ultimately, you guide us through this life. Amen