January 31

Blessed are those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

             Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

            What’s the longest that you have ever gone without eating?  I fasted 18 days once when I was in College Ministry.  I was giving a three week sermon series and felt called to devote myself to fasting and prayer for the duration of it.  No food, only juice and water and tea for 18 days.  This was almost 20 years ago and it is funny the things that I remember.  I vaguely remember the passages that I used and who was in the fellowship at that time.  I have no idea what I said.  However I clearly remember my first meal after finishing the fast:  Buffalo chicken wings with ranch.  That breaks every fasting rule you will ever see, but that was my meal and I have never regretted it.

            A funny thing happens when you stop eating for a long period of time: Food becomes all that you can think about for a while.  The days feel ambiguous because in normal circumstances the schedule of the day would revolve around meals.  Every advertisement that you see online or on television or hear on the radio involves food.  My ears became extra sharp for my neighbors cooking and my nose could smell what others were having.  It was as if my entire body suddenly focused on the things that I was forsaking in an effort to get me to eat again.

            What if we were that hungry for righteousness?  What if every piece of our self cried out for a right relationship with God?  What if our first thoughts in the morning were wondering what God had been doing while we were asleep?  What if, when we met someone new, we asked what God wanted to do in us and through us through a relationship with this person?  What if the great focus of our life was learning to hear God better and respond to His voice?  That sounds amazing.  And it sounds like something that will never happen in my life.

            I wake up each morning and my first thoughts are “Where is my son,” and “How little sleep did I get last night?”  I meet someone new and assume that I will not have time or energy for them.  I would love to hear God better as long as it does not get in the way of my daily responsibilities.  I struggle with this.  Having a family, especially having a family with special needs, means that your life is not completely your own.  I have friends with no children who can decide that they want to leave their house…and they just get up and go somewhere.  When we decide to leave the house, there is a minimum of 15 minutes of “Who is going,” and “Why do we have to go there,” and “Why are you only wearing one shoe?” that we deal with.  Are we going somewhere with triggers and need to bring along some coping aids?  Is everyone dressed appropriately for the weather?  Are we sure that everyone has eaten recently?  Let’s bring some snacks, just to be safe.  We have more questions, but every one that we ask raises my son’s anxiety level so we have to just focus on the most important ones.  By the time we are out the door, my friends have probably already gotten back.

            I write this to say I want to hunger for righteousness.  I long to see God better and know Him more.  And it is challenging to prioritize that over the immediate issues that I live with.  But the promise is that those who hunger for righteousness will be filled.  The efforts that we make, however small, will be met.  God is present and waiting for me, whenever I am willing to make the effort.

A moment to reflect:

Where could you find 10 minutes to pray today? Try it and see how God responds.