How could hunger be a gift? It came to me in the package of a young lady I’ll call SK. A little over a year ago, God brought this young lady into my life and wove us together in an unexpected way. At first we seemed to have little in common. She was 20 years younger than I. She had a doctorate degree…I was a stay-at-home mom. She had her life in front of her…I was looking at a good portion of mine in the rear view mirror. Yet somehow, God chose our hearts to be interwoven.
When I first met SK, she talked of how god had rescued her from alcoholism and a destructive path in life. She talked about the darkness that had enslaved her for a large chunk of her life. She even shared how that darkness had taken her to the point of taking her life. She told me of how in a desperate cry, god sent his presence in the form of a friend to save her life. This led her on a journey out of addiction and in search of who this god was. Life became better and she could finally see light again…or so she thought. She finished her degree and began seeking a life of fulfillment. This is where we met – her story captivated my heart!
After the first couple of days together, I noticed something peculiar. It seemed the very mention of the name Jesus created an uncomfortable feeling for her. I even observed a difference in her body language when His name was mentioned. It seemed very puzzling to me * Was there something she was hiding? *Was it satan trying to pull her back into a life of darkness?
I began praying against that darkness and satan’s influence. I had no idea that she didn’t even know who Jesus was. I’ll have to admit, this rocked my world. Satan had so deceived her into thinking she was a Christian, but the very name of Jesus caused her to pull into a shell. You see, she had come to know the god of her understanding through AA. She did not know Jehovah God and His plan of salvation through His son, Jesus. She did not know about the power of the Holy Spirit that is promised to those who believed in Him. But God was still pursuing her heart to reveal the truth of His Son. Eph. 6:12 tell us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. That was exactly what was happening. Many believers interceded for her and God pursued her with a fierce love. Then it happened….she decided to risk everything she knew and accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
That day I witnessed the most beautiful transformation! She had finally found the key to something so amazing that she never knew existed. A grace she had never known.
The flood gates of love opened on her and created an insatiable appetite to know all about this Jesus, and I was blessed to walk this new journey with her. With no biblical upbringing, she had a raw hunger for truth. Many times her new love and passion for Jesus would just spill over, yet her lack of scriptural knowledge left her feeling inadequate. She wanted to know the story of JESUS. I assured her the knowledge would come in time. I told her of many people that had been sitting in church pews for 50 years that didn’t have what she had. But, she had the most important thing…
Passion and Hunger.
As time passed, it was not unusual for us to text or call every day to share life.
Where had we seen God? What was God teaching that particular day/week?
It was like she wanted to drink from a fire hose. It sent me to Scripture to authenticate what I said. I dared not lead her astray. She needed truth!! When she was ready, we committed to do a study that drew a seamless story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. I remember the day she recounted the story of Jesus from the Creation through the prophesies of the Old Testament; the New Testament and his birth, life, death and resurrection; the early church and the purpose for it until his return. THIS WAS THE STORY OF JESUS! It was the most beautiful thing! It was like watching a butterfly come out of the cocoon and spreading its wings to fly. She understood the power of the cross and what Jesus had done for her.
I can honestly say that in all my years going to church I have never seen anyone so hungry for the Gospel. I may have known the stories of the Bible from my years in church, but it was SK taught me the raw hunger and passion for Christ in a whole new way. How amazing that she knows God as her precious Heavenly Father that loved her enough to send Jesus for her, and HE pursued her out of darkness to be His light in the world.
Thank you, SK, for passing on to me the gift of raw hunger. I love you dearly <3
Becky
