The Children Are Hungry

     This year the Lord said to me, “Hunger is a good thing.” 

      He elaborated no more, leaving me too simple a statement to ponder for months. 

One day when I read through the book of Luke, I came across the verse where Mary, Jesus’ mother, celebrates by saying “God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” Luke 1:53

Children– they’re hungry.

     Specifically this year, my kids, niece, and nephews have made profound statements seemingly from nowhere about God, leaving me to wonder… What made her say that randomly? What made him ask that?

     Have your kids or kids you know made comments about God lately, too? Have they prodded you with questions about faith, creation, and heaven? You are not alone.

     This spiritual hunger in our children is prompted by the Holy Spirit and He intends to fill them with good things!

     This incredible God-phenomenon isn’t exclusive to those who lead a Christian home; God is moving all over. This hunger for God is powerful, intentionally placed in children’s hearts in specific homes; not meant to be satisfied only for themselves, but for the entire family; to shape future generations.  

     Just as God created our bodies to have physical hunger when we need to be fed, our souls are no different. We were made to crave and be filled with God’s presence. And He is showing our kids’ desire to know Him despite all the other things available to capture their attention.

What I Believe God Wants Us To Know:

1. Our childrens’ questions and statements are meant for invitation, not intimidation.

     Many did not grow up in church. Maybe there was no religion talked about at home, so you’re not familiar with Bible stories. Or maybe it’s just been a while. You don’t feel like you know enough to have these conversations with your kids.

     It’s ok, you don’t have to know all the answers. 

Jesus spent much of His time correcting the people who “knew” the Scriptures inside and out. While the Bible reveals what God is like and is completely true and powerful to change us, it’s important to understand that knowledge about God and knowing God are two different things. God wants us and our families to know Him; one of those ways is definitely through the Bible, but your full knowledge of it is not required for God to move in your home. 

2.       God gives you exactly what you need.

     2 Peter 1:3-4 says God gives us all we need to live a godly life. We can ask God for what we need— whether it be to know Him better or how to answer our kid’s questions, we can have confidence that if we ask God to lead our family into what’s true, He will! 

3. Take It Personal— Believe.

     Your child’s desires to know God are not by chance. It’s not coincidence, it’s the Holy Spirit stirring up a hunger in your child… in your family, even that He fully intends to satisfy. Don’t doubt it, lean into it. Explore it! Perhaps your personal invitation is being extended through your child because God knows that’s the way you would hear Him best?

Psalm 107:9 He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with good things. 

Ways to Respond to Holy Hunger:

• Talk to God. Confess your fears, your reservations about faith, and your desire to know what’s true. Ask for His guidance. Ask for God to speak to you and your family.
• By faith talk to God out loud with your kids as if He is a person listening (because He is) even if it feels weird at first. Ask Him questions— You’ll find that He will answer you.
• Trust God to show Himself to your family despite your lack of/plenty of knowledge, experience, or abilities.
• Go to church.
• Spark conversations in your home about what you do know about God— He created the world. Animals. People. 
• Read the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you while you read it. Maybe start at the beginning in Genesis, or even in the book of John. It’s ok to have to look at the Table of Contents or even on Google. 😇
• Be humble. Allow God to fill you and your children with good things without assuming you know everything or how He will do it.

I wrote most of this about children being hungry last week and then today my pastor shared a message about how God satisfied the hungry. Confirmation? I think so, which inspired me to go ahead and share what God impressed on my heart. Who knows- as he shared, maybe our kids’ hunger could lead to revival!

With Love,

Payton