Hunger for God

It's been awhile, but every now and then I'll post an essay written by a friend and/or associate. This piece was written by Loren Shields. Actually, I'm not sure we've met, but I went to high school with his wife 40 years ago and we've kept in touch over the years. Loren is an avid writer of things inspirational and has quite a large email readership of his almost daily feature, "Life Worth Living," which I intend to post from time to time.

I thought this most recent essay titled "Hunger for God" was timely. Christmas has come and gone; some observe Christmas as the celebration of Christ's nativity and most others celebrate it in a more secular fashion.

If you are seriously worshipful of Christ, this is essential reading. Love and adoration for Christmas and the Baby Jesus is one thing; hunger for God is quite another.

Loren points out that the church in America (ANY church) virtually parallels society in every way. That, in itself, should scare the hell out of God-fearing church goers. Read on church goers; this message is for you. Here's Loren's piece:

HUNGER FOR GOD
Loren B. Shields

After finishing a business transaction about 18 years ago, I asked the man if he was a Christian. I never forgot his answer: “I don't have time to be a Christian!” I replied: “You don't have time NOT to be!” He was not opposed to God. He was just too busy with life, coupled with false concepts of God and what he might have to give up. I do not know what became of him. I can only hope that one day he latched onto God's grace to become a solid man of God today.

But what about those of us who already profess Christ as Savior and Lord? Do we have time to BE a Christian? Look around! There is little difference between believers and non-believers. The church virtually mirrors the world in everything – language, dress, music, entertainment, etc. The world has dictated the direction of the church and we have been eager to follow. Statistics reveal the church to be almost parallel to non-Christians with divorce, unmarried partners and pregnancies, convictions and beliefs, adultery, pornography, addictions, and more. We show the world LITTLE to be desired. The late Rev. Adrian Rogers stated that watching The Passion of the Christ moved him to ask himself, “Adrian, are the things you are living for worth Jesus dying for?”

In a recent Bible Study the question was asked: “Why are we not hungry for more of Christ?” Are we asking ourselves: What have I overlooked? What am I doing that I should NOT be doing? Or, what am I not doing that I SHOULD be doing? Do I easily give in to my own desires? Will I stand strong or shrink in a real test of my faith? How will I respond when the heat is turned up?

Recall the story of the frog sitting in a pot of cold water that is gradually heated. The process is slow and the frog doesn't even notice the rising temperature as it gets hot. Finally, the frog is boiled alive, cooked to death. A good metaphor for the slippery slope of compromise.

Mighty man of God King David fell hard as his eyes came off of God and onto Bathsheba. Reread the story. He was blinded for a long time before he came to his senses. Are we any different? When we enjoy what we know is wrong, we would prefer God keep His distance. But our God is not a distant God who watches us from afar. God is up close and involved in His people. God feels the hurt when we turn our back on Him; our doing so cannot be ignored. God sees and, just as with David, there will be consequences. As with Jonah, we can run but we can’t hide. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal 6:7).

Another great man, wise King Solomon, built a grand temple for God. His temple dedication prayer was simply awesome (1 Kings 8). God heard his prayer and charged him to be faithful and obedient, with consequences otherwise (1 Kings 9:1-9). But, “when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God” (1 Kings 11:4). And “Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord” (6). “So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel” (9).

Consequences DID follow and the heat turned up for Solomon. “Now the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon…” (14). “And God raised up another adversary against him…” (23). “Then Solomon's servant, Jeroboam…also rebelled against the king” (26). Conflicts – sent by God to bring Solomon back to a right mind and relationship. There ARE consequences to sin yet God’s patience, mercy and love give us space and time to repent (Rom 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9; Rev 2:21).

Yes, God sees! “For God is closely watching you, and he weighs carefully everything you do” (Pro 5:21 TLB). “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chron 16:9). “…But this is the one to whom I will look, to the humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at my word” (Isa 66:2).

God's way says: “Abandon yourself wholly to Me. Choose Jesus, the only way to eternal life” (John 14:6; 6:47; Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:11). Man's way says: “Don't put all your eggs in one basket. All paths lead to God. There are other possibilities. Leave yourself an out, just in case.” (Col 2:8)

David learned God’s way IS best and he “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (1 Kings 15:5). He penned: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps 139:23,24). Can we say that to God from our heart? Do we hunger for MORE of Him?

Just as valid for us today is Moses’ challenge to Israel: “Understand this now, and set it in your heart, that the Lord is God...there is no other” (Deut 4:39). Also just as valid for us today is Jesus’ warning: “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:6).