Just ask my sister what it is like to go Christmas shopping with me on an empty stomach. The story is unpleasant. I basically turned into a giant two year old, which is a very scary picture. I was whining, complaining, sitting down in the middle of store aisles, pushing things over, saying mean things, and just being all around terrible. The situation was a lot like a SNICKERS commercial. But instead of turning into Betty White or another celebrity, I turned into a monster. Those commercials say "you're not you when you're hungry," and I definitely was not acting like myself. I'm not a big shopper, but I do enjoy getting gifts for people. However, that day in particular I was unable to take joy in gift getting like I usually do. I was hungry and could not focus on anything else.
I started with such strong conviction to find gifts for my family, but was sidelined by the intense longing for food; so much so, that I could not even function normally until that desire was fulfilled. My thoughts, my goals, and my actions were all directed by my craving. My hunger ruled me.
Of course the severity of my hunger could have been avoided. My hunger pains started small, but as I ignored my bodies prodding, they grew and grew until there was nothing else except the intense desire, until I was completely consumed.
I am reminded of the words of Jesus: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
I wonder how many times have I hungered after righteousness? I know how many times my hunger for food has driven me, but have I ever sought out righteousness with the same passion or vigor? Do I seek to align my actions with God so much so, that nothing else can or will sustain me?
I also think about what I feed myself with besides righteousness. How many times in life do I try to satisfy myself with things apart from righteousness? When I feel discontent maybe my first thought should be to look for how my actions can better align with what God is doing in the world, instead of looking for immediate gratification. I also think about how much preparation and presentation is put into meals that ultimately don't last. Do I put the same effort into pursuing righteousness?
I think it all comes down to what we want, what we hunger for, what we long for. I think we all want to live a meaningful life. I also think most of the time we don't satisfy that desire because we don't eat the right things. It seems to me that Jesus offers an invitation to a life with great purpose; an invitation to a life full of meaning and satisfaction. Maybe its time to dig in, or maybe this is just a musing of a modern-day sasquatch
