A couple of weeks ago as we approached the sacramental feast at the front of the sanctuary, a little one was in front of us also partaking in the Holy Meal. With the bread not being cut up in its normal, uniform squares, the child reached up for a piece of the common loaf. As her mother guided her along to the next phase of the meal, I heard the youngster say, “I want a bigger piece.” I chuckled to myself at the innocence of her statement. I wondered if she knew the depth of her words.
While some might scowl at the perceived irreverence of her remark, it echoes the society in which we live and the desire in all of us. Actually, this hunger for more reaches far beyond the current decade and has been present since the opening act of Time. Satan dangled the possibility of MORE in front of the matriarch of mankind… more wisdom… more knowledge… more like God… and she bit.
We know the consequences of that Taste & See event and yet we continue to fall into the same trap. More. Bigger. Better. We want more land, more status, more pleasure; bigger houses, bigger equipment, bigger bank accounts; better vehicles, better toys, better ________. Our pursuit of more has cost us irreplaceable amounts of time, devastated relationships, and mountains of stress. All for what? Will we ever come to realize that what our souls are craving more of is Jesus?
There are many passages in scripture that remind us what the object of our desires should be:
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2)
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1)
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:1)
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26-26)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
Tommy Tenney, in his devotional, Experiencing His Presence: Devotions for God Chasers, writes a prayer that we all may need to use daily to build our hunger for God:
“Lord Jesus, my soul aches at the mere mention of Your name. My heart leaps for every rumor of Your coming, and each possibility that You will manifest Your presence. I’m not satisfied with mere spiritual dainties. I’m ravenously hungry for You in Your fullness. I’m desperate to feast on the bread of Your Presence and quench my thirst with the wine of Your Spirit.”
So go ahead, little one, ask for a bigger piece! Hunger and thirst for righteousness! Beg and plead for more of Jesus! Let God be your portion forever! You can always have as much of Him as you want!
May it not be said of us that we have an insatiable hunger for the things of this world, but that we long for a bigger piece of the Bread of Life.
Erin Jacobsma