The Blessing of Hunger!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.  Matthew 5:6 NIV

We were watching some of the Food Network one night around the house and one of our children said, “Daddy, let’s not watch this anymore it makes me hungry.”  I thought that was priceless!  Do your surroundings affect your appetite?  Do the things you see and hear affect what you hunger for?  I’d be inclined to say yes to both of those questions. 

In this statement of blessing Jesus mentions that those who hunger and thirst will be filled but there’s a qualifier!  He’s not saying we need to starve ourselves so that we are really hungry but that we have to hunger for the right things in order to find the fill that we really need.  Our world has a hunger for belonging, for purpose, for being needed.  But the problem seems to be that we mask that hunger with something that only lasts for a moment.  It’s like giving a starving man a snickers bar – he’ll feel ok for a moment but soon enough the hunger is back! 

Jesus says that we are to hunger and thirst for righteousness.  This thirst will lead us to the waters that offer a thirst quenching river of life.  This hunger will find its fill in the meal of Jesus at the table of his word and communion.  Today Jesus calls us to be hungry for him.  As we fill our life today with all that it offers may we find our fill in Jesus.  May we keep coming back to his promises – the very table where our hunger is satisfied .

Prayer: Jesus lead me to the streams of your water.  Whet my appetite with the food from your table today Lord.  AMEN.