To the Hungry Soul {Live Full}

One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.

Prov. 27:7

Imagine my surprise when I realized that an entire book had been written themed on a verse that I thought had the exact opposite meaning! Ha!

I very much enjoyed Sara Hagerty’s thoughtful and honest book Every Bitter Thing is Sweet. She wrestles through suffering, blessing, promises, surrender, and sovereignty in a lovely way.  But it struck me as so funny to read this book centered on Proverbs 27:7 when I had always read it the exact opposite way!

In my Bible, beside that verse, I had scratched out these words: Live full.

Then, after reading her book, I added next to it (with a smile): Live hungry. 

Here’s what I mean: The first time I heard this verse I was 21-years-old, attending a ministry training school. During one class, a woman came and taught on relationships. I so vividly remember her sharing this verse, explaining that we must be filled up with God, so satisfied with His love, daily feasting on His presence, that everything else pales in comparison. The danger, she said, is when we live hungry, because then, even what is bitter tastes sweet. When we’re not filled with the love of God, we’ll accept pathetic substitutes, we’ll settle for unhealthy relationships, we’ll give in to the temptation of the world, we’ll look for earthly loves and substitutes to satisfy our starving souls.

We’ll live like beggars when we’re really children of the King.

That so deeply resonated with me. That was 14 years ago and I still think about that truth often. I am so often tempted to live empty, that aching, gnawing hunger in my heart that makes me look out there, elsewhere, for more joy, fulfillment, attention, satisfaction. We see people living this out all around us: “Somebody, please look at me. Please like me. Please accept me. I’m so desperately hungry I will settle for your attention and approval and love, rather than God’s. I’m so hungry, even what is bitter tastes sweet to me.

Of course, we should live hungry for God. Sara’s right, of course, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. There is no “right” interpretation of this verse. It is simply a stated fact, and clearly both life-applications can be helpful and fruitful, when applied in the right way.

Live hungry. Live full.

But this Live Full truth is what has struck me this past week. Over and over He has gently whispered to my heart, “You are not a beggar.”  Indeed, I am not a beggar, I am a daughter of the King! I am full! I have every possible resource at my disposal as I carry out the King’s work, as His messenger and as His precious child.

I see my own tendency toward a hungry soul, to live beggar-like, and I see how this state of soul-hunger is such a danger, how it leads me to look elsewhere for my joy and satisfaction. Even a glance at my internet history reveals this.

Online searches often reflect soul searches. Right? 

Beggar-like living leaves me settling for less than His best. 

And so I turn back toward His Word, His heart, His love. I hide my hungry heart in the secret place where only He can satisfy. And as He fills this heart like only He can, worship spills out, the natural overflow of a satisfied soul:

Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus!

You can have all this world, give me Jesus!

There is nothing worth more, that can ever come close, no thing can compare, You’re our Living Hope.

I’ve tasted and seen, of the sweetest of loves, where my heart becomes free, and my shame is undone.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face,

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

{Live full. Thanks for reading.}