Much of our Christian culture is under the impression that we need to learn from trained professionals or scholars about the Bible. In many ways, we’re led to believe that we can’t trust the Holy Spirit to teach us or that we can actually open up our Bibles and hear from God ourselves.
We then put our focus on others’ written work: devotionals, Sunday messages, podcasts — you name it — we spend more time learning under someone than communing with the Father. I think there’s also a belief that reading others’ work and written books is “devotional” time with Him, but if we are truly honest with ourselves inside, we are still hungry.
Don’t get me wrong.
Books and devotionals are great!
I’m an avid reader. Clearly, I write books (and devotionals).
But when you read testimonies, books, and devotionals because of someone else’s time with Jesus, does it stir a hunger to experience God by going directly to Him?
It should.
The truth is if you’re only reading the revelation someone else got as they sat in God’s presence and you never develop you’re own walk where He speaks to you personally, you’re feeding on the crumbs of someone else’s faith.
Don’t settle for the crumbs of my or anyone else’s time with Jesus. You will starve and never be fully satisfied.
Books and devotionals should never be a replacement for diving into the Word of God for us and spending time with Jesus.
There was a time and a season when learning about God was my nourishment, but I got to a point where I hungered for more. Listening to others’ stories and testimonies stirred a desire to go after the real Jesus.
I didn’t want to learn about Him anymore…I needed Him.
I needed His presence.
I needed His healing touch.
I needed His comfort.
I needed His peace.
I needed the one I learned about to show up in my life. Not just once in a while during the carved-out space at church service or worship night…I wanted Him every day, all day, in every way!
I started to talk to Him throughout the day and cleared time to sit with Him. I began to open His Word on my own time and asked Him to speak to my heart.
Devotionals became a conversation point between me and Jesus — I would read the words written and then pause and talk to Him about what I read.
I was no longer reading to check off devotional time.
I was no longer settling for crumbs, feeding off of others’ testimonies.
I was communing with the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The more I sat in His presence and dined with Him, the more I began to taste the very essence of who He is and all I have with Him.
It was that drive and that hunger that said I will not stop until I see Him, feel Him, and taste all that He has to offer!
He satisfies our hunger in ways beyond human comprehension.
Friend,
You won’t live in the fullness of what Jesus paid for until you’re willing to go directly to Him, no longer relying on someone else’s written work, a pastor, or a ministry leader to spoon-feed you…God Himself will.
He has extended this personal invitation to you.
He wants to take you by the hand and walk with you.
He wants to meet you in those wounded places of your mind and heart.
He wants to fill you with His strength, envelop you with His peace, and guide you in all things…
But YOU have to create that space and accept His invitation.
You have to stop turning to others and turn to Him.
No more settling for the crumbs of my time or anyone else’s. Instead, use these words and others’ messages to stir up a deeper hunger that can only be satisfied directly from Him.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Fear the Lord, you, His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
—Psalm 34:8-10 NLT
