Hunger doesn’t come first. Faithfulness does...

A Heart Refined with Rachel Menard
Jan 6
4 min read

Updated: Jan 7

Happy New Year my special friends!! I’ve been quiet here in these first few days because for the first time in 10 years…I didn’t feel like anybody needed my input on how to start their year😂!

The truth is you definitely don’t need anything from me, but the Holy Spirit does lead and that’s when it’s important! I’m loving His voice teaching me how to slow down…to STAY with Him…not caring about the rhythms/algorithms of this world, but to respond to Him alone!!

That happened here in the wee hours of the morning as I was thinking about a conversation between yours truly and a dear friend. We were discussing our quiet time and our health… about our tendency to get distracted or take a break from both when we are sick or overwhelmed. We agreed that we need more of the hunger necessary to persevere in study and prayer and taking care of ourselves!!

But as I stopped to pray for the both of us the thought kept coming to me…

Let’s start with our fellowship with Jesus…

I’m persuaded to believe that God holds the gift of hunger for those who seek Him faithfully.

I’m not saying He withholds from those who are learning how to seek Him. I mean He holds the gift of hunger in an open hand for those who are faithfully seeking fellowship with Him!

Look at the amplified version of Matthew 5:6…

“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who ACTIVELY seek right standing with God], for they will be [COMPLETELY] satisfied.”

Then my mind goes to Heb 12, also Amplified…

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].” (1-2)

Think about it! HE is the incentive…so back to those who seek Him…You cannot be hungry for Him if it’s not Him you are looking for! BUT those who do seek Him will find Him AND hunger deeply for Him.

Faithfulness to HIM will be your ticket… for better for worse, for richer for poor, in sickness and health… to have to hold HIM from this day forward!

For me personally, my greatest distraction is fatigue that gives way to entertainment that I think I “deserve.” We have been taught that TV and phones…movies and social media…are the rest we “need.” But that simply is not true. It’s bondage that rivals drug addiction.

We cannot break free without Him…but I hear Him…”My husband of kindness”…knowing there is something so much greater than this. So..we try harder to ACTIVELY SEEK!

I heard someone recently that he has made a commitment to never go more than two days without reading the Bible. There are some days where we are just too sick (etc). However, there are far too many resources (Audible Bible, devotionals, etc) available for us now to not make use of when we struggle.

Ok. With all that being said…I don’t know how to phrase this next thought without swinging too far in either direction…

Don’t beat yourself up, but be appropriately hard on yourself!!!

Oh wait! I know a better way to say this….

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

“Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified. ”‬‬

This passage is about fighting our wretched desires tooth and nail in order to live for the glory of God. This passage is not referring to health and wellness, but I believe we can take its basic premise and cross apply!

It is true! We’ve got to encourage one another to strictly discipline ourselves in every way!!

Ask yourself the question: Am I living in such a way that interferes with my mind and body’s ability to fellowship with Jesus and then GO and spread the gospel?!

Brain fog, inflammation, anxiety, morbid obesity, lifestyle diseases…and on and on…These things, quite often, hold us back from living out our calling through Jesus Christ and let’s call a spade a spade…

THAT IS SIN!

So, There’s no time like right now!!!

You will not immediately be “hungry” for healthy behavior, BUT faithfulness to the process generates hunger for that lifestyle!

Start today!

Eat well!

Exercise to the best of your ability!

Talk to & about Jesus every chance you get!

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]? You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.” 1 Cor 6:19-20

If you need prayer and accountability in either area, I’d be glad help!