Crave

Crave

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

FLIPPING MY BOOK UPSIDE DOWN, I placed it on the bed and vaulted to the floor. It was midnight, and after doing hours of homework, there was only one thing I craved: the salty, crunchy, chewy delight of chips and cheese. I’d been living in England for a couple of months and quickly fell in love with the local snack.

At least a couple of times each week, my friends and I would walk to one of the stands that dotted Oxford at night. Stores and most delis closed by 6 p.m., so a late-night run to the closest chips-and-cheese stand provided the perfect study break. Our favorite places were Toussain’s, by the main bus stop, and Chef’s Corner in Bonn Square—privately and fondly referred to as “No nonsense,” due to the severe disposition of the proprietor’s stalwart wife. Their flashing lights proclaiming kebabs and—be still, my heart—chips and cheese. Chips are actually french fries, and the cheese is grated, not nacho. Ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, oil, vinegar, and salt can also be added, although I preferred the original version.

My friends and I would quickly eat them up, but within a night or two I’d be back. Cravings are funny things. We crave cheese because it contains L-tryptophan, which improves mood and promotes relaxation. We crave chips because our body is low on healthy fats. Or we crave something because we’re trying to self-medicate or overcompensate: one study showed that when people increase the number of hours they sleep, they decrease their sugar intake.^a Cravings are signals from our body of something we lack.

Yet, as people, we are more than just bodies; we are also made of spirit. When our spirit craves more time spent with Jesus, we can fulfill the longings of our soul by reading his Word. But unlike the temporary comfort from fulfilling our body’s cravings, the satisfaction we find in his presence is long lasting.

Lord, help us to crave more of you. Amen.

-Kristin

One Good Step: Craving God’s Word takes practice. Grab a three-by-five card and write out a verse you’d like to focus on. Keep it in your pocket, and take it out throughout the day to work on memorizing it.