‘How’s your appetite?’ A question that a doctor might ask you. But it is also a question a Pastor should ask from time to time.
Now appetite is an interesting word – well when it is satisfied or anticipating so, but not so much when it is not. I’m talking about the word ‘appetite’ which has come into our language through old French from ancient Latin appetitus, literally ‘desire toward,’ and apparently from a root word meaning to rush, ‘to fly.’ Or more simply for us, ‘longing for, desires, cravings.’
Medically it has been defined as ‘instinctive desires necessary to keep up organic life, especially: the desire to eat.’ Though that hardly does justice to a description of appetite when we catch a waft of fine aromas in a tantalizing mix brought to life by excellent cooking.
Of course, it is not only used in terms of an appetite for food, is it. Clearly at this time there is an increasing appetite for getting somewhat closer to the way life was. An appetite for freedom, for gathering with people as we used to, even, dare I say it – yes, even for work.
But what of one’s spiritual appetite, our appetite for God? How’s your desire for God?
Over recent weeks in Ephesians we have been reminded that we are in Christ by faith, and that if we are in we have been given new desires. Think about that for a minute – what are our new desires?
These desires are to know, please, and worship God, to praise Him, to meditate on His Word, to talk with Him in prayer, to fellowship with His people, and as we have seen over more recent weeks under the ‘put off/put on’ template or motif to grow in holiness, and more.
The very fact that Paul reminds and exhorts us to consciously do this stresses that these new desires must be deliberately cultivated and protected if they are to grow and not wither. When they are not cultivated and protected, we will find our desire for sin growing.
So how’s your spiritual appetite for God and the things of God?
Scott Pickering gives some indicators which show that we may need to address the matter of our spiritual appetite:
- What was once both a duty and a delight to you is now simply a duty. Instead of thinking about worship, Scripture reading, prayer, and the things of God as things you get to do, you now think of them mainly in terms of things that you have to do.
- When you think of spiritual activities, you find yourself saying, “I just don’t have enough time.” It is harder and harder to make time to do those things you once did in order to know and love God.
- Your prayer life has withered, and, when you do pray, your prayers consist mainly of requests. Also, your prayers are short on adoration, praise, and thanksgiving.
Do you remember a time when your desire for God was stronger than it is today?
Has it been dulled in recent times? Our appetite for God may at times be dulled by openly sinful things, but it may be dulled by many other, seemingly harmless things to which we give our time and attention. The effect of which is that they serve as appetite suppressors.
Jesus calls us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” with the promise of His gracious care “and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt 6:33)
Paul wrote, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” (Col 3:16)
Likewise, Peter, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet 3:18).
Let us make it our great priority to gain and grow in our knowledge of Christ and likeness to Him.
Especially in this difficult season difficult season in your life as you are called to depend upon the Lord in new ways, may your desire for fellowship with Christ be strong, the Word of God refresh and strengthen you, gratitude and praise be a normal part of your prayer life.
Together in Christ’s love and service,
John
Your Pastor