There's nothing more discouraging for the family chef than these three
words; "I'm not hungry." Maybe you've faced those words. You know kids
have impatient stomachs. Of course, only kids. We adults don't, right? But
kids have impatient stomachs, so they eat whenever the urge hits and
whatever the urge tells them to eat. And, of course, I'm sure our kids
were like yours. They would usually go to the refrigerator and get some
carrots or a tossed salad. Right? Some broccoli or some high fiber cereal?
No! Our kids did not! Don't worry, neither do yours. Oh yeah, they'd go
after junk food. Most kids today are junk food junkies, and they fill up
on it. So, Erin would give us this beautiful spread of pot roast, and
potatoes, and fresh vegetables, home baked bread. And the troops, "I'm not
hungry." They're too full to eat. How discouraging when they're full of
junk food. Now junk food may be okay, but not when it spoils your appetite
for real food.
This is what Luke chapter 8 talks about. It's
the familiar story of the parable of the seed and the sower. And as you
know, Jesus talks about the seed falling on four different kinds of
ground. Let's look at one today. He says in verse 11, and this is the
meaning of the parable, "The seed is the Word of God." And in verse 14,
"The seed (or the Word) that fell among thorns stands for those who hear,
but as they go on their way they're choked by life's worries, riches and
pleasures, and they do not mature." Now these are people who are
Christians, and they remain Christians, but they are God's under-developed
children. Children who never experience what they could have experienced.
They always miss God's best. Why? They were choked. Choked by worries,
anxieties, and things they're afraid of.
They're choked by chasing what money can buy.
They're choked by focusing their energies on their own pleasure, their own
feeling good. God has a lot of spiritually anorexic kids. You know that?
They have an appetite disorder.
They're just not hungry for the Bible any more.
They're not hungry for time with Jesus. They're not hungry for church; for
spiritual input; for Christian fellowship. They almost go just dutifully.
Have you noticed in yourself maybe recently a diminishing desire to get
into the Bible; to get with God's people? Oh, you used to have an
appetite. Where did it go? Could it be you've been filling up on junk
food? Maybe things that aren't wrong in themselves; they're just taking
over what you think about and talk about most of the time.
An unbalanced interest or concern has taken
over and crowded out any room for God's Word in your life. Maybe you've
become preoccupied with a hobby, television, the Internet, soap operas,
music, maybe a special friend, maybe your car, maybe your house. Maybe
God's time in your life, God's voice, God's Word are being choked by
something far less important, far less eternal. It's just been crowded
out. All your thinking time, all your mentally neutral time is gone. Do
you have a spiritual appetite problem? Could it be that some junk food is
filling you up? Good questions for a Lenten Season looming before us, huh?
God has so much prepared for you; so much He
wants to say to you; so many ways He wants to lighten your load. But you
come to the table saying; "I'm not hungry." Next time you're reaching for
more mental junk food, reach instead for the banquet of the Bible.
Spiritually it is the breakfast, the lunch, and the dinner of champions!
Come and get it...Eat/Drink your fill!
See you in Church,
Rev. Chuck |
