Here’s a little something you may not know about me: I love food.

Especially good food.

Sometimes, I even like healthy food. Sometimes.

I love rich, decadent desserts and garden fresh, mildly spicy salsa, and warm, soft homemade cookies.

I love sitting down to an amazing meal with my family or with my girlfriends and eating.all.the.food.

I’m getting hungry just thinking about it…

Because of my love for all things tasty, there was a story in John 6 that caught my attention. Jesus is speaking to the crowd and they get  hungry…probably even hangry. Does anyone else get hangry? I do. It’s not pretty.

Anyway, Jesus performs a miracle for the hangry crowd. He takes 5 loaves and 2 fish and turns it into enough food for over 5,000 people with leftovers. The people eat until they are satisfied. Clearly, they like a good, fresh meal. They like it so much that the next day they hunt Jesus down because they want more. More fish, more bread, more full bellies.

Jesus sees right through them and calls them out on it. “I tell you the truth you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understand the miraculous signs.” Then he goes on, “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.”

The crowd didn’t get it. They were so caught up in their desire to satisfy their bellies, they couldn’t understand what he was saying. Never be hungry again? Maybe Jesus was going to feed them everyday!

Not.what.he.meant.at.all.

What Jesus meant was this: You guys are missing the whole point of my miracle. You are seeking actual bread for your hunger and I am offering myself as the satisfaction for your souls. If you believe in me, I (my body on the cross) will be the bread that gives eternal life to you.

The crowd was looking at Jesus for the wrong thing. They were looking to Jesus to have their earthly desires fulfilled and not for him to be the savior of their souls. Their worldly “wants” blinded them to the desperate condition of their spiritual deadness.

Jesus didn’t just come to meet all of our worldly desires, he came to bring eternal life. Not that he doesn’t care about our needs here on earth, but he was meant to be more. He was meant to be the bread that satisfies our deepest longing. To be our only hope. To be our one desire.

He explains to them, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever. And this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

Isn’t that an amazing kind of bread? Better than anything I have ever eaten. It satisfies my soul’s hunger for all of eternity.

You guys, it’s so easy for me to lose sight of who Jesus is and get caught up in the satisfaction of my earthly desires… focus on feeding my belly, so to speak. I pray for food on the table, a nice house, bills paid, accomplishing my to-do list, money for fun stuff, my kids to succeed, my hubby’s football team to win.

I forget that what I really need is for him to be my savior, my redeemer, my guide.

My bread of life. The one who feeds my soul. 

Psalm 63:1-5 is my favorite because it always reminds me of this truth:

“O God, you are my God;

I earnestly search for you.

My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.

Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!

I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.

You satisfy me more that the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.”

Isn’t that so beautiful? It paints a picture of a soul desperate for the bread of life. I read it whenever I find myself consumed by things of the world.

How about you? What are you looking for Jesus to satisfy? Is it your belly? Or for him to feed your soul? Is he your deepest longing or does something else take its place? Are you looking for him to be your actual bread, or your bread of life?

My 1st newsletter launches tomorrow and I’m so excited! It’s got a great article about how to keep the main thing the main thing as we head into the chaos that is the beginning of the school year. It’s super practical and fun. If you know of anyone who would love to read about it, please tag them in my facebook and instagram post, or send them a link to my blog so they can get registered on my email list. Anyone who tags a friend will get my extra special, super secret, always delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe emailed to them as a thank you. Trust me, it’s totally worth it. I’ve had so many people tell me they are the best cookies ever. EVER. And ONLY MY SUBSCRIBERS will receive the newsletter and all the great info. Thanks for your help friends!

As always, I’d love to hear from you. Send me a message or comment below and let’s talk about the struggle of what satisfies us. The journey of faith is difficult and we need each other! Let’s do this together. Let’s chase Jesus with reckless abandon.