know me by His scars.

It’s morning. You just woke up. Are you hungry? Thirsty?

Probably. We all get hungry and thirsty sometimes, and we expect to. It’s natural. Those feelings are a gift from God. Reminders that we’re missing something. There is a lack. A need.

Then the question is, what are we hungry and thirsty for? What is that need? What do we crave?

Sometimes it’s something very practical – real hunger for fresh food, real thirst for ice cold water. Things your physical body needs to survive. That you will literally die after too long of a period without.

But what about your soul? What does it need? What does it crave?

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” – Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV)

Being thirsty, panting, speaks not just of a desire but desperation. True need, longing. In your heart of hearts, deep in your core, a starving, aching, voracious greed to know more of the Creator. Whether you realize and accept that or not.

So the question becomes, are you empty enough to need to be filled? Or are you busy stuffing yourself with the things the world has to offer – that will be destroyed by moths are rust and thieves and dust?

God is a good God; He gives us what we want, but if we’re seeking anything other than Him? Those things will only leave us with a leanness of soul, emptiness, hollowness. We must seek to want Him and Him alone.

Our Father gives us the desires of our hearts, not just the things we ask for – but when we’re seeking Him alone, the things we do ask for are the wants He has given us to ask for. He gives us the desires we have.

So we need to be hungry. We need to be driven to need the One thing we need. But when we process what that means, it’s usually when the anxiety sets in. If I let myself get hungry, be emptied, will I ever be satisfied again?

Because leaving room to feel desperation, space to be filled with the Bread of Life that will meet our every need does come at that cost of first actually being emptied, of yielding everything we would try to hold on to.

Any desires for earthly “security.” Any plans we have for our future. Any wants clawing out from our flesh. Any longing for anything other than the One who makes us whole.

The bad and the good alike.

It all must be surrendered to Him, given back to the Giver of all things to do with as He wills.

Every emotion, every thought, every single response that keeps us in that mind-numbing loop cycle of anxiety – dropped at the feet of Jesus. Because it is He who will give us peace.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Easier said than done maybe, but choosing to trust and obey really is the only way. And He is trustworthy. He’s proven Himself over and over again.

Remember. He’s the Maker of the universe, He’s not short on resources. “All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances].” – Proverbs 15:15 (AMP)

A continual feast, not sometimes, not just when we feel put together or up to the tasks of the day, continual. Consistent. Over and over again. Filled up with Him, you will never be hungry again.

Jesus disciples were concerned about hunger, same as every other human who’s ever lived; there are examples of it over and over in the gospels. When they prompted Jesus to eat in John 4, His response was a confusing, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” – John 4:32 (NIV)

They thought he was talking like they were, about what would fill His stomach, but that wasn’t what He was referring to and He made that clear: “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” – John 4:34 (NIV)

What are you chasing after? What are you trying to fill yourself up with? Is it His will? What He has for you? Whatever that may look like, wherever that may take you? Are you yielded?

He is the Good Shepherd, He gives me everything I need. I lack nothing. He leads me where I need to be with every single provision I need to be cultivated in Him. Wherever He leads, He will provide. It’s who He is. Jireh.

Even when I walk through that deep dark, the shadow of death, still I know and choose to trust that He is sovereign, that He is leading me, that He is in control. What can I fear when I know that the Maker of the universe has ordained my steps?!

Though enemies surround me and plot and scheme, He prepares me a feast, a place of esteem, of nourishment. Even there, even when, He will be with me, and He will provide.

I need to stop acting like He is anyone less than the God of all things – for His sake, for His glory, He has called me, He has chosen me, He has led me, He has preserved me, He has redeemed me, He has restored me. He has freed me from my prisons that I may praise His name!

Now read that again out loud. Do you believe it? Do you believe Him?

The answer to that earlier question about being satisfied again? It’s yes. You will be satisfied. You’ll forget the former things for the joy set before you. You can trust Him.

I know because I’ve seen it in my own life, over and over again.

The best is still always yet to come!

Emily