Who's Hungry?

There are many captions to this picture.  What's yours?

When I first saw this photo, it was one that my friend Patty Gilliland had posted on her Facebook page from her mission trip to Ethiopia.  It spoke so much to me.  Then I heard the background story to the photo and was struck even more.  These four little curious pairs of eyes were peering through the nearest available opening to see...at what was happening on the other side of the fence.

What were they looking for?  

I suppose they were just looking for what they could see.  Given their age I am sure that their curiosity ruled, and watching Americans was quite an opportunity given this was the first time a mission team had been to their Ethiopian community.  But the sticks, posts, and corrugated tin kept them out and away from the action.  It was VBS day for the team so there was a flurry of goodness that was happening on the other side.   

It's curious to me about where they were...well, it's obvious they were on the other side of where they wanted to be.  But when I look between the lines at this photo, I see their hunger.  Not their physical hunger but their spiritual hunger.  Look into their eyes...and see the windows to their souls.

I have seen that in myself many times.  I was so hungry to know what God has for me, for my family.  Finally I stopped wondering and just asked...

"God...what do you have for me today?"  His answer?  "Me"

God wants to be our day.  God wants to be the point of everything, of all our praising, thanking, trusting, asking and pleading.  God wants us close and wants us to come to Him hungry.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

The promise in this verse is that in being hungry for God first, for who He is, and His kingdom then His righteousness, justice, fairness, goodness, honor, respectability, uprightness, virtues will be added.  His kingdom will be yours, God will be the point.  God is the point.  But only to the one who seeks....the one who hungers for God.   

Hunger for God  for who He is..not for just what God can do.  

We wants us to want to spend time with Him, to crave His presence.  

Because He hungers for you....

If you have ever felt far from God..it's your sin that separates.  

"God hates the lonliness we feel by the distance we create."  Sam Roberts

Five Minute Friday {First}

We have many firsts.

First day of school, first day of the school year.  First grade, first for recess.

First baby steps, first tooth, first smile, wave and giggle.

First tears, fears, and victories.

First born, first place ribbon or award, Olympic gold.

First row seating or first priority.

Most firsts are milestones.  Most of them matter.  Most of them are worth remembering.

Who could forget the first walk on the moon?  You don't?  Google it!

Do you remember your first day at school in Kindergarten?  I do...I cried and felt all alone.  I can still see my mom walking down the long hallway towards the door, as she turned to wave at me, 

all I could do was yell "please don't leave me".  I guess I got over it...eventually.  

My first carton of chocolate milked helped.

Do you remember your first place ribbon you received in the spelling bee or track meet?  
I was always dead last in running and spelling.

Do you remember the first time you heard your favorite song?  
The first time you stepped foot in church... how you felt?

Do you remember your first kiss?  How about your first time behind the wheel?  
First time on wheels?

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Firsts can be lasts.  Most times the first is the most notable.

First mission trip, first job, first child, first car, first F in school, 
firsts are like milestones or benchmarks.

God loved us first.

What's first in your life?   

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well."  Matthew 6:33