Friday, February 28, 2014

Cravings

The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. Proverbs 21:25
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation… 1 Peter 2:2


What’s your craving right now?  I’ve been on a trek for sometime in my relationship with coffee.  It started in seminary when I was always tired.  I’ll never forget when Anne and I were out one night on a date and we pulled up in front of a Starbucks.  She announced to me, “I know you don’t like coffee, but Starbucks just came out with a coffee milkshake called a Frappuccino.  I think you’ll like it!”  I didn’t like it, I loved it! I got the jolt I needed, but what I didn’t realize initially was I also got over 500 calories paired with each jolt!

To make a long 17-year story incredibly short, I now have such joy and have developed a true craving around espresso. I delight in exploring different beans, the tamp, water pressure and the crema.  A shot of straight espresso done well - my mouth is watering just writing this!

Not surprisingly, Proverbs addresses cravings, teaching us that some cravings are dangerous.  This comes as no surprise to any of us as we have witnessed this sad reality personally and all around our lives.

Today, there’s another craving I want you to consider - craving the word of God. Biblical authors use several different word pictures to help us understand the power and function of the Bible. At different times, the Bible is compared to:

  • Light (Psalm 119:105)
  • A mirror (James 1:23)
  • Fire (Jeremiah 23:29)
  • A hammer (Jeremiah 23:29)
  • A sword (Hebrews 4:12)
  • Milk (1 Peter 2:2)
  • Food (1 Corinthians 3:2)

In 1 Peter 2:2, Peter’s admonition is for the readers (and us) to acquire and maintain a singular focus on and childlike enthusiasm for God’s Word. Sounds inviting doesn’t it? Peter uses the “milk” word picture to point out how eagerly we ought to desire and consume the Word of God, just like an infant consumes milk.

You’ve heard the axiom “You are what you eat!” It is true physically and spiritually.  We will never grow well without a steady diet of God’s word.

I find myself in an incredibly impacted, busy season at present.  As I step into various settings (some incredibly hard and other joy-filled), I have seen more and more the value of God’s word. It fuels me, gives comfort, frames perspective, admonishes, lights a path, reveals God’s love for me, and provides wisdom. Just yesterday, I sat with a woman and daughter whose husband and dad died unexpectantly.  I listened and hurt with them.  Rather than offer platitudes, I turned to Psalm 23 and offered comfort and hope straight from Heaven’s throne.

So I’ll ask again, what are you craving right now?  Why not pause and ask God to form in you a craving for His word?  Why not take the 1% challenge and invest 1% of your day (14 minutes) and start your day in prayer and with God’s word?  Like espresso, the more of God’s word I consume, the more I want and the more I want to grow in my mastery of it.  May it be so with you today.

This Sunday we will be receiving a daily devotional to pair with our Proverbs reading.  For all of Lent, we will be brought to God’s word around the theme of God’s Heart for the World daily.  I look forward to gathering together.

I love being your Pastor!