I’ve never been an early bird. More of a night owl. A mid-day hummingbird, actually. My mom used to come into my room in the morning squirting me with a spray bottle of water, singing “Rise and Shine, and give God the glory glory!” Made me want to renounce my faith just to get a little more sleep. Early morning basketball practice was always cold and early. I had to pry my eyes open just to catch a chest pass. Motherhood, however, has a way of changing the very core of who you are. So now I’m a morning person! Meaning, I wake up in the morning, get out of bed, and I find ways to not kill anybody. It’s a real accomplishment, people. The Joy of the Lord is my strength!
A big breakfast has become part of my routine as well! I used to eat a granola bar, if that, and maybe some skittles from the pantry for my “morning fuel”, but I’ve moved onto more mature, matronly meals like full bowls of Cinnamon Toast Crunch….. just kidding. Most mornings, I manage to have two slices of bacon, one egg over easy, and a bread of some kind (cinnamon toast, biscuit, waffle, granola bar). Oh! And a half a cup of coffee (because what mother gets through a whole cup? Seriously. If that’s you- teach me your ways!).
Of course, there’s always one or two mornings during the week where I just can’t muster up the motivation to wash another pan or clean another plate- so I grab the breakfast eaten in my “Days of Old”... the trusty granola bar. Sure, I feel ok for the moment, but here’s the problem with doing that: I’m eventually hungry about an hour later. I’m also super whiny and irritable. Some would say I get “hangry”.
That’s when I fill up on every snack item in my pantry that is HIGH in glucose and convenience. I eat and I eat and I eat until I feel satisfied. Which is usually about the time that lunch should start being prepared. I think to myself, Great, Kari. You’ve done it again. You’re a complete idiot and I eat another Pringle to bring comfort to my shame.
Who’s been there? Who’s taken shortcuts in life and immediately regretted it? We all have. If you’re not raising your hand, you’re probably stuck in your pantry eating Pringles too.
As I prepared to cook my bacon and eggs this morning, I stared into the open fridge thinking “do I really want to get all of this out?” I reluctantly slapped the bacon on the counter and set it in the frying pan. In that suble moment of redundancy that Jesus chose to whisper these sweet words into my spirit. He said, “Eat now.”
As believers, we tend to starve ourselves of the word of God by taking bits and pieces here and there when we’re too tired, unmotivated, or it’s just not convenient for us. We go some mornings without “eating” at all! Instead of feasting in God’s goodness, we get swallowed up by time, expectation, and the whirlwind of life. We know that starting our day off with Scripture and worship is important, arguably the “most important meal of the day”, but we just can’t seem to make it happen! We’re left feeling like we’ve failed Him. We’re left feeling hungry.
Good news, people. There’s grace.
God knows that as we run out the door in the morning, we’re hungry and thirsty. He knows that even on our laziest days, we will exhaust ourselves trying to please our own desires. He knows we are in need of Him. He knows that it’s only a matter of time before we’ll come, asking Him to fill us up, and He’s ready for us when we come.
The enemy banks on our eventual hunger. Think about what happens when we get hungry? What do we feast on? All the wrong things. We seek validation so we turn to social media or call up a friend to “vent”. We desire joy so we turn to inappropriate sitcoms and Netflix comedies. We look to memes that bash our world leaders or create awful images in our minds about certain people groups or personalities. We long for answers during tough times so we turn to our favorite news outlet. We listen to some puffed up radio personality. Like they’re saying anything new. Reminds me of the song from the movie Urban Cowboy. Johnny Lee’s “Looking for Love (in All the Wrong Places).”
My dear friends, I challenge you to “eat now.” Whether in the morning, evening, or the middle of the day- before you starve yourself and go looking for junk food in the pantry- feast at Jesus’ table. It is in full supply.
Pray
Father, we thank you for your love and kindness toward us. Even when we don’t take the time to meet with you and fill up on your goodness- you are willing and fully supplied for the times when we do come hungry and thirsty. May we be so filled with You each day that we never thirst or hunger again. And may we pour out your love on the least of these, those in need of your love and your mercy.
Reflect
Further Reading
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”
Lamentations 3:22-25 ESV
'But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”'- John 4:13-15 NLT
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Psalms 34:8 ESV
Listen
I have chosen a multitude of songs to get you through this week. Feast on one song a day. Listen to the lyrics. Print them out and let them be songs that your heart devours and clings to during difficult times.
Monday-The Table by Chris Tomlin
Tuesday- I Shall Not Want by Audrey Assad
Wednesday- Daily Bread by Strahan
Thursday- Hungry by Kathryn Scott
Friday- Great is Thy Faithfulness by Jimmy Needham
Saturday- Oh, Taste and See by Jenn Johnson
Sunday- BONUS Two Songs!
Jesus is Better by Austin Stone Worship
Lyric Video
Live Video
Give Me Jesus by Danny Gokey
Of course, there’s always one or two mornings during the week where I just can’t muster up the motivation to wash another pan or clean another plate- so I grab the breakfast eaten in my “Days of Old”... the trusty granola bar. Sure, I feel ok for the moment, but here’s the problem with doing that: I’m eventually hungry about an hour later. I’m also super whiny and irritable. Some would say I get “hangry”.
That’s when I fill up on every snack item in my pantry that is HIGH in glucose and convenience. I eat and I eat and I eat until I feel satisfied. Which is usually about the time that lunch should start being prepared. I think to myself, Great, Kari. You’ve done it again. You’re a complete idiot and I eat another Pringle to bring comfort to my shame.
Who’s been there? Who’s taken shortcuts in life and immediately regretted it? We all have. If you’re not raising your hand, you’re probably stuck in your pantry eating Pringles too.
As I prepared to cook my bacon and eggs this morning, I stared into the open fridge thinking “do I really want to get all of this out?” I reluctantly slapped the bacon on the counter and set it in the frying pan. In that suble moment of redundancy that Jesus chose to whisper these sweet words into my spirit. He said, “Eat now.”
As believers, we tend to starve ourselves of the word of God by taking bits and pieces here and there when we’re too tired, unmotivated, or it’s just not convenient for us. We go some mornings without “eating” at all! Instead of feasting in God’s goodness, we get swallowed up by time, expectation, and the whirlwind of life. We know that starting our day off with Scripture and worship is important, arguably the “most important meal of the day”, but we just can’t seem to make it happen! We’re left feeling like we’ve failed Him. We’re left feeling hungry.
Good news, people. There’s grace.
God knows that as we run out the door in the morning, we’re hungry and thirsty. He knows that even on our laziest days, we will exhaust ourselves trying to please our own desires. He knows we are in need of Him. He knows that it’s only a matter of time before we’ll come, asking Him to fill us up, and He’s ready for us when we come.
The enemy banks on our eventual hunger. Think about what happens when we get hungry? What do we feast on? All the wrong things. We seek validation so we turn to social media or call up a friend to “vent”. We desire joy so we turn to inappropriate sitcoms and Netflix comedies. We look to memes that bash our world leaders or create awful images in our minds about certain people groups or personalities. We long for answers during tough times so we turn to our favorite news outlet. We listen to some puffed up radio personality. Like they’re saying anything new. Reminds me of the song from the movie Urban Cowboy. Johnny Lee’s “Looking for Love (in All the Wrong Places).”
My dear friends, I challenge you to “eat now.” Whether in the morning, evening, or the middle of the day- before you starve yourself and go looking for junk food in the pantry- feast at Jesus’ table. It is in full supply.
Pray
Father, we thank you for your love and kindness toward us. Even when we don’t take the time to meet with you and fill up on your goodness- you are willing and fully supplied for the times when we do come hungry and thirsty. May we be so filled with You each day that we never thirst or hunger again. And may we pour out your love on the least of these, those in need of your love and your mercy.
Reflect
- What part of the devotional spoke the most to you? What change might it be prompting in your life today?
- What are you filling up on each day? Are you satisfied or are you left still longing for something more? Explain
- What part of the day could you dedicate to the Lord each day? What book of the bible or study would you like to delve into? Who might you ask to walk alongside you in that?
- You may be consistently feasting from God’s table each day. Are you inviting others to sit with you? Think of some people that you could nourish with your knowledge. Think of someone who is thirsty that you could pour into this week.
- Read through the verses below and make it your prayer this week.
- Send food to someone who is need. Maybe even a sweet treat to make them smile! Write a note with it, reminding them that we can feast on God’s love each day.
Further Reading
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”
Lamentations 3:22-25 ESV
'But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”'- John 4:13-15 NLT
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Psalms 34:8 ESV
Listen
I have chosen a multitude of songs to get you through this week. Feast on one song a day. Listen to the lyrics. Print them out and let them be songs that your heart devours and clings to during difficult times.
Monday-The Table by Chris Tomlin
Tuesday- I Shall Not Want by Audrey Assad
Wednesday- Daily Bread by Strahan
Thursday- Hungry by Kathryn Scott
Friday- Great is Thy Faithfulness by Jimmy Needham
Saturday- Oh, Taste and See by Jenn Johnson
Sunday- BONUS Two Songs!
Jesus is Better by Austin Stone Worship
Give Me Jesus by Danny Gokey
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