Feed Me I'm Hungry

I was standing outside of the fire station one bright afternoon minding my own business when a homeless man approached me.  He made some very brief small talk and asked me if I would be willing to buy him a hotdog from the 7-11 across the street.  

I was struck by the fact that the man was not asking for money but instead was asking for food.  It really surprised me and responding to the urge of the Holy Spirit, I led him across the street.

I watched the man as he picked out his food.  Suddenly the Lord began to lay His love for the man on my heart.  I was filled with compassion and began to wonder if just buying food for the man was going to be the entire experience or if God had something else in mind.

I paid for his food and invited him to sit at a table we had set up outside of our station.  I chatted with him a bit but then I heard the soft voice of the Holy Spirit urge me to ask the man if I could pray for him.  

So I asked him if I could pray for him and he responded with a big smile and said, "Absolutely! I love Jesus!"  I laughed and began to pray for him while the Lord began to speak to my heart.  

I began to share with him what the Lord was saying to me and watched the things I shared with him make a direct impact on his heart.  As the Lord revealed things that only He could know the man was filled with hope and encouragement.  The Lord was touching his heart in a way that was brand new to him.  

The prayer ended and the man was speechless.  He hugged me and went on his way with tears in his eyes. I knew that he had definitely been fed.  

I'm reminded that so many times we only see the physical needs of people and think it’s good enough to just provide whatever that need might be.  That is good, but is it enough?  Wasn’t the bread Jesus came to bring designed to end our hunger for good? 

The homeless man I encountered reminded me that God is always after our hearts.  Our need runs so much deeper than physical and He knows that.  He is eagerly waiting to mend us, to heal us.

So I guess the next time you feel led to meet a physical need for someone it might be valuable to ask the Lord if there is something more He might want you to do or say in addition to meeting the physical need.

Jesse and Kara Birkey

www.reflectministry.com

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