Hungry

      I dropped Adam off at the airport early this morning; he'll be gone for a few days on a business trip. A lot of other wives have to do this often, but not me. I'm pretty blessed to have Adam home the majority of the time, so when he's gone it feels a little catastrophic. Like half of me isn't here. The old adage, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder' is true. The time waiting for him to come home builds anticipation for the moment he walks in the door.
      Graham Cooke is one of my favorite speakers/authors. He describes God as revealing Himself through periods of hiddenness and manifestation. We go through seasons in which it feels like God isn't there, that we can't hear His voice, or that He isn't hearing our prayers. The intent of these moments is to produce a certain kind of fruit. Our faith is strengthened through trial. We spend time sharpening our hearing. Even more importantly, we get hungrier. That's the intention of a fast; deprivation carves out space for something. We are setting aside our physical hunger aside to focus our intention on Him. We are saying that He is integral to our existence.
      God doesn't hide from us to punish us, He hides so we can learn to find Him. It is a process of maturity that we seek Him through each season of hiddenness. Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.  Many times He reveals Himself by revelation and wisdom. We start expanding our mind to hold a greater understanding of Who He is, and who we are. God loves to build our spirits through our intellect. 

      Manifestation or encounter are the party times. This is when Jesus shows Himself plainly to us. We feel His presence, have visions, have incredible worship experiences, or have crazy encounters that touches every part of us; spirit, soul and body. Just like seeing a lover after a time of separation, these moments are all the sweeter because of the time apart. There isn't as much space for deep revelation because you are so busy being aghast at His majesty and beauty.

       I regret that there a parts of the Body that have only experienced one or the other, or believe that there is only one or the other to be had. God wants us to grow up. He wants us to reveal Himself to our intellect and to our feelings. Imagine what a marriage in name only would be like? Or if you only got together to discuss chores or financial goals? Marriage is beautiful when both sides discover each other intellectually, spiritually and physically. 

       Hunger is a blessing. It creates capacity for more. Don't despise the seeking. ;)