HUNGRY

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES


This morning at Hampton United Methodist Church, Pastor John Bunn discussed God's grocery store. At this refuge, we can browse shelves of love, patience, light, and other necessities for our daily lives. That grocery store is the Bible. 


After today's sermon, I spent some time thinking about how we yearn for spiritual food. When I feel hungry for God's word, I can seek out my Bible, a podcast discussing a particular lesson, or beautiful music filled with His spirit. 


One of my favorite passages in the Bible discusses caring for the least of these, including hungry people (Matthew 25:34-45). In eastern Kentucky, we are quick to share food (heavy on the carbs, too!) when a loved one dies or someone needs comfort. I love food. 


But I cannot help but think about those who are not just physically hungry but also spiritually hungry. Perhaps they hunger for grace, for justice, for an end to the hardships they face. People throughout our world are experiencing domestic turmoil, financial ruin, and unthinkable oppression.


While some know what they hunger for, others may not even know what they are missing: a connection to God's love that sustains us through even our most difficult trials. However, we can be His hands and feet and share with others who are very loved by Him. 


We carry within us fruits to feed them: fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Feeding their spirits does not require much, just a listening ear, a gentle word, a moment of kindness, or a heartfelt prayer. Caring for the least of these allows us to grow closer to God.

As you go about your daily life this next week, look for opportunities to care for those around you, to feed their spirits and leave them better than you found them. By sharing what you have stocked up from God's grocery store, you will reflect His love in a world that hungers for it.  

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