Hungry For God

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6 NKJ)

Lifelong learning takes on a new and fresh meaning when you survey it backwards from the present. I have been a student most of my life. I'm not intimidated by professors anymore. Books no longer scare me. The search for knowledge and understanding is an adventure for me.

At some point in this lifelong journey, I decided to become a specialist in God's story. Now, don't misunderstand, I do not know everything about God or his Holy Book or his story. I am still learning; still searching for knowledge and understanding; still trying to comprehend what God has said and what he means by what he said.

And the more I discover in God's story -- the longer I live and learn -- the more I discover that I don't know what I need to know. And to cite Ebenezer Scrooge, "now I know that I don't know." This is a great epiphany for a man when he wakes up to the understanding that he doesn't know. Hopefully this epiphany takes place early in his life rather than later.

But I need regular reminders that I don't know. I need questions to arise and problems to confront me so that my limitations are evident. I need the challenge of thinking so that I am reminded of my limited ability. I need to know there's more to God and his story than I can comprehend. Therein is the challenge for lifelong learning. I can not know everything about his story but I can keep on learning.

If I am to connect with the author of the divine story, I must never be satisfied with today's meal. I must keep on searching. I must keep on exploring. I must continue the feast with a hearty appetite for more of him. He has promised that I will be filled.

Dear Father, thank you for your promise to fill us with your righteousness. Empower me with a constant hunger and thirst for more of your righteous graces. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

When we are motivated by hunger and thirst for more of God, then we are truly learning.