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Topic: Hunger (11/08/04)
TITLE: Choose to Give By Betty Shattuck 11/12/04 |
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"I don't see why we need to trim them - they'll just grow again!" Kim whined.
I couldn't help myself as I burst out laughing! When I was able to speak again, I stood in front of her with my hands on my hips and said, "Using that way of thinking, why do we wash the dishes - they'll just get dirty again! Or why should I cook your dinner - you'll just get hungry again!"
Though she was complaining the whole time, she eventually joined me in the yard as well as laughing at her measly argument.
Around the holidays I receive numerous solicitations to "feed the hungry" or "$5.00 will pay for two Thanksgiving dinners." Though my heart is touched with people who have material needs, the poverty around the world is overwhelming and I find my attitude to be as immature as my daughter's. "So I pay for them to have Thanksgiving dinner, what about the day after Thanksgiving? They'll just get hungry again!"
Speaking about hunger, there is more than just a need for food that the world needs. How about hunger for love, for attention, for validation, for emotional fulfillment, and on and on? There's especially the empty hunger in each person's heart that is a God-shaped hole that can only be fulfilled by having a right relationship with God through receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Taking this line of thinking a bit further, not only are WE born with a God-shaped hole that needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but there also is a person-specific space in GOD'S heart for each individual that can only be filled by that person's right relationship with God.
Do I give enough to stamp out world hunger? Do I give enough of myself to bring others to know Christ? Do I love enough, give enough attention to other's needs, am I as self-less as I should be? No, I fall far short of what I should do and could do more. I'm convicted by Jesus' words, "...For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes...When you did it to these my brothers you were doing it to me!" (Matthew 25:35, 40 LB)
There is only one person that we can say does enough. It was enough that Jesus loved us so much that He paid for our sins by sacrificing His life on the Cross. It was enough that He was battered and beaten that by His strips we are healed. It was enough that He sent His Holy Spirit to fill the God-shaped hole in our heart and fill us with His power. But He continues to give and give and give...
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (KJV)