Hungry?

I heard a story once of a man who had saved up all of his hard-earned money to take a cruise. Because he saved up just enough money to cover the cost of the ticket, he figured he’d just eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches throughout the duration of the trip since he couldn’t afford anything else. About three days into his trip – surprise – he got tired of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Walking past the lavish buffet bars and seeing the variety of foods made him second guess his decision. So, he spoke to a waiter in a restaurant and asked him the following question: “How much for some steak and potatoes tonight?” The waiter replies, “Excuse me?” “How much money does it cost for me to eat off the buffet bar this evening. I brought peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because I wanted to save some money, but seeing all of this food has made me second guess the wisdom in that decision.” The waiter, looking a little uncomfortable, looked at the man, put a hand on his shoulder and replied, “Sir, I am not sure how to tell you this, but all the food you see here was a part of the cost of the ticket you had already purchased. All you need to do is get a plate.”

Ouch.

I wonder if that’s not a picture of the children of God today. Too many of us may be settling for peanut butter and jelly sandwich-sized servings of faith, and it’s leaving us unsatisfied. Remember this quote from last Sunday’s message:

If you don’t feel a strong desire for the manifestation of the Glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of this world, your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is not room for the great. God did not create you for this. There is an appetite for God and it can be awakened. – John Piper, from the book, The Hunger of God

When Jesus rose, ascended and was seated at the right hand of God the Father, we were granted access to all the spiritual meals made available through that ticket of freedom that Jesus claimed for us all. All the help, enablement and strength is found in Him. Remember. It was fresh Word and Wind that brought a valley of dry bones to life. It happened then, it still happens today.

Sunday, let’s keep this “Battle Ready” series going, shall we? I’ll be preaching from Luke 4. Let’s look at the The Believer’s Invisible Battle. I can’t wait!

“See” you then!