When you have the munchies, it seems like nothing really satisfies the craving, but anything close at hand looks appetizing. Four years after the birth of my third child, I was still carrying around what I not so affectionately referred to as baby weight. I joined a fifteen week accountability group at my church to force myself to get serious about losing the extra pounds. I am proud to say that I reached my goal and then some, but those first six or seven weeks, anything edible made my mouth water. Packing my kids’ lunches each morning for school was torture. Even peanut butter and jelly started my stomach rumbling. Not until I had my appetite in check was I able to achieve my weight loss goal.
Did you know it’s possible to have the spiritual munchies? Our soul craves pure spiritual food in the same way our bodies crave physical food. Many times, we manage our cravings in the very same way by wandering around the kitchen grazing on whatever is close at hand. Rather than picking up a Bible, I scroll Instagram or Facebook sampling a bite of this and a mouthful of that, but it’s akin to trying make a meal of appetizers. Finger foods are good to hold you until the main course is served, but they’re not intended to fill you up. Our soul may find some temporary satisfaction from nibbling, but we can only find true nourishment from our life Source.
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?”
Psalms 42:1-2 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.42.1-2.NLT
“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
YOU SATISFY ME MORE THAN THE RICHEST FEAST.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.”
Psalms 63:1-6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.63.1-6.NLT
When the needs of my soul are met with a regular diet of God’s word, when I feast at His table, as the Psalmist says, He satisfies my soul more than the richest feast. I recall some of the most satisfying meals I’ve ever eaten and it’s not the steak dinner or the banquet at the supper club once a year that nourishes my body. It’s the meat and potatoes, fruit and vegetables that consume daily that fuel my body and keep me healthy. It’s the steady diet of God’s word that nourishes my soul and keeps me strong.
“Then we will no longer be immature like children.
We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching.
We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.”
Ephesians 4:14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.4.14.NLT
Much like the meals aboard a cruise ship once the fare has been paid, there are unlimited buffet opportunities available with a paid internet subscription or cellular service. How easily satisfied am I? How suggestible am I? Steven Curtis Chapman captured this idea perfectly in his song, See the Glory.
“It’s like I’m playing Game Boy standing in the middle of the Grand Canyon
I’m eating candy sittin’ at a gourmet feast
I’m wading in a puddle when I could be swimming in the ocean
Tell me what’s the deal with me” (https://youtu.be/PcnPG_5PDhY)
“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God.
He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.”
Matthew 5:6 MSG
A Fitting Reply 