Tag Archives: Habakkuk 3:17-19

An appetite for less

 

After nibbling on a few saltine crackers I laid down to rest again, and it struck me. Three pieces of toast, a cup of applesauce, and a few spoonfuls of rice have quite appeased my appetite and sustained me over the last four days. Yet, when I am well my appetite borders on voracious. I’m always hungry for more.

 

Have you discovered this too? Our appetite for ‘more’ grows exponentially as we feed it. Our appetites of every kind become harder and harder to satiate the more we feed them. The more we feed them the less satisfied we find ourselves.

 

I remember primitive camping with our family in Colorado in a place called the Craggs. Everything takes longer when tenting than at home but there is a certain fulfillment found in gathering wood for the fire, prepare a rugged meal, cleaning up, and taking a hike. And there is this realization of how refreshingly simple everything is around you: the wind rustling through the pines, the bubbling brook nearby, the beauty of the blue sky above. There is no need for newspapers, TV, or electronic gadgets.

 

It’s a common reflection of those returning from mission trips to comment on the happiness of the poor children they encountered. I wonder how our constant pursuit of ‘more’ sometimes leaves us missing the simple joy of ‘less.’

 

I wonder what you will find today in being mindful of the ‘simpler’ things in life, those everyday blessings that beg to be discovered. Sit quietly and focus only on your effortless breathing and your constant heartbeat. Marvel in how God designed your body to carry on without your even giving it a thought. Savor a sip of refreshing water in your mouth. Close your eyes and rejoice in the freedom to choose whatever thoughts you want to fill your mind; they aren’t determined by your circumstances. Open your eyes and find one thing of beauty and wonder that you hadn’t noticed before. Listen for and speak a few words of sincere gratitude and encouragement. Choose to praise God for his endless love. Like the boundless waves that wash ashore a mere 100 yards from me as I write, His waves of mercy wash over us wherever we are and however we feel.

 

There is a certain level of satisfaction to be found even in sickness. I don’t want to stay here in sickness, but I don’t want to forget the lessons of a simpler appetite when I am well.

 

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19

(written last week – I am well again)

 

 

When faith prevails

 

 

Faith prevails!

 

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19

 

Whenever there is news of an impending storm, folks make preparation. They flock to the store to load up on food and other supplies. They make sure the flashlights are working. And if possible, they leave work early so they won’t get caught in the storm.

 

Doesn’t it make sense to also prepare for the storms of life that come unannounced? We can do that by building our faith every day, and especially when “all is well.” Faith is like a bank. You make deposits during the prosperous times so that there will be something to draw on during the lean times.

 

Faith teaches us to “delight and triumph in the Lord; for when all is gone, his God is not gone. Even when provisions are cut off, to make it appear that man lives not by bread alone, we may be supplied by the graces and comforts of God’s Spirit.” (Matthew Henry)

 

Even when the vineyards and fig trees of our life are destroyed, we can – and must – find that as a time to praise God who sustains us. He is the one who prepares and equips us for life’s storms. He is the one who heals our wounds and brings us hope in seemingly hopeless situations. When all else is gone, He is the one who remains.

 

When trouble comes, where will you run? Prepare your heart by building it up with faith that prevails. And rejoice in His faithfulness.