Made to Crave: 21 Day Challenge Day 2

Day 2: Overweight Physically and Underweight Spiritually

Whether you're physically healthy or not, if you are underweight spiritually, you are not leading a healthy life. (Here's something really exciting: you can NEVER be overweight spiritually!)

I like to think of myself as being an average Christian. I stumble and fall sometimes but I am caught in grace and God sets me back on the path. When I look back and see one set of footprints, I fell comforted instead of panicked.

Unfortunately, sometimes, I don't realize when God is carrying me.

As you may be aware if you have read some of my previous posts, I am...umm...stubborn. Ugh. Okay, I said it. Stubborn. Very, very stubborn. I am a control freak who has to have things my way. When I don't know what's coming next, I get scared. Really. I pretend to be all excited but when life throws me loops and I feel myself falling, I freak out and things aren't pretty.

However, tonight, I read Matthew 19:20-21. A man visits with Jesus and after telling him that he's following all the rules, he says he feels like something is missing. (Sound familiar, Emily. Guess what...you're the man in this story.) Jesus hits the guy with some Jesus knowledge and boom! the guy is blown away and disappointed.

So what did Jesus say to the guy?

"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

I wish this was a story with a happy ending. The man was very wealthy and sold everything. Poor people became rich and the man followed Jesus and lived happily ever after.

That's not life, friends. And I'm sad to say, I kinda feel like the man, minus the rich part.

The man was very sad when he heard what Jesus said and he went away sad.

To this, Jesus replied "Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

Ouch, Jesus. That hurt. And while I'm not rich, I'm pretty well off. And, I have to admit, I have been known to put a five in the offering plate because my ten dollar bill was earmarked for a Chipotle burrito after church.

Jesus wants our commitment to him whether we are rich or poor. The disciples ask how it is possible for anyone to get into the kingdom of heaven if they must give everything up. To this, Jesus replies with one of my favorite phrases he said. With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Going back to my burrito for a second, God made us capable of craving things. However, sometimes, we think that we're craving one thing when we're really craving another. That little twinge in my stomach when I know I could have put ten dollars in the offering plate? That's God saying you can do better. Our unquenchable desire can only be filled by Him.

Paul wrote in Ephesians: "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."

God is far better than any Chipotle burrito. His work is far better than any food we can eat, any desire we can go after, anything we can imagine. So open your hearts to Him. Spend a little time worshiping Him while you're brushing your teeth or getting ready in the morning. You'll feel your spiritual self start to grow and I promise, you'll like the results.