I haven't blogged since September and haven't even taken a look at what the last post was until this morning. Imagine my surprise when I found that what I wrote about then is the same message that spoke to me this morning when I read John 6:26! Since I tend not to believe in coincidence and since I did feel compelled to blog, God must have something to say, at least to me.
John 6:26 says this: "Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you have been searching for Me, not because you saw the miracles and signs but because you were fed with the loaves and were filled and satisfied."
The holiday shopping frenzy has launched, and I find myself already stressing and feeling irritated because I don't know what to buy for those I love. My three year old granddaughter has had the toy catalogs in her precious little hands, marking those toys she just has to have! It's a race against others who love her to purchase those very special things that will bring delight to her face on Christmas morning as she is buried in a mountain of wrapping paper. Maybe it's my age, but I am resisting the urge to spend, spend, spend, but I suspect my rebellion has more to do with lots of years of experience that tell me that all the shiny new stuff will only bring temporary satisfaction. Whether it's my little granddaughter or the "grown ups," the excitement and pleasure will be short lived.
When I read the verse this morning, what resonated in my heart was this - the wonder and novelty of the moment that reveals the new objects of our desire will last only as long as we have that feeling. When the feeling wanes, we will want more.
The people who came seeking Jesus followed after him not because of the miracles they'd seen but because he had fed them - literally. They were hungry, he produced food from a few loaves and fishes, which was in itself miraculous, and they were satisfied. When they grew hungry again, they wanted more. They came to the only one who could satisfy their most essential needs. While they came wanting food for their physical bodies, Jesus taught them that they should desire the food that sticks with them for all eternity (John 6:27).
I will buy gifts to give this Christmas, but I'm not going to give into the seduction of marketing or my competitive urge to keep up with others. I know that stuff won't satisfy. I hope to live the truth that Jesus is the "...the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)" (John 6:35).
My prayer is that I will be satisfied by the Bread of Life and that I can point others to the One who is all we will ever need or want. After all, we are celebrating the birth of the only Gift worth receiving.
