Reed Mueller

Due to factors I won’t get into, the last week or so has been a little more stressful than usual. My typical response in such times is to get really focused on all the tasks I have to get done; after all, I usually see them as the reason I’m stressed. But this time was different though! Instead of getting focused, I got hungry (and I loved it).

When the stress was at its peak a few days ago, I felt hungry to take time away from my tasks and consume God’s Word! Really, I literally said “This stuff can wait!” For a person who is calendar- and task-oriented, I think this shows greater maturity in my faith. Why? Because I realized that what I needed most was not to clear my calendar or task list but rather to be strengthened for the tasks ahead by spending time with, and hearing from, my Father.

I reflect on this here today because I was just reading about how God had sustained his people through the stresses of their desert wandering. You remember how he did it, right? He sustained his people with just enough bread (i.e., manna) for each day (Exodus  16:4). They didn’t always appreciate it, but it was what kept them well enough to sustain their journey with him.

I (we) would do well to remember this.

So often the great gift of God sustaining us through his Word is something that we don’t appreciate enough. If we are to make it through the desert times in our life, we must remember that God’s Word is the bread – delivered straight from heaven – that nourishes us (Matthew 4:4)!

Stressed out? Take time out to consume God’s Word! Feeling great? Eat up anyway, you may just need the extra spiritual sustenance tomorrow, or next week!

As to why I got hungry this time as opposed to not being hungry at similar times in my past, I’ll post about that on Friday.

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