Hungry?
How does hunger influence you?
I think I was in the seventh grade when my hunger dominated my common sense. Grilled cheese sandwiches were my favorite but I was not allowed to use the stove without adult supervision. Well, there was only one other appliance that could provide the heat needed for my sandwich. The microwave. I slathered butter on two slices of bread, slid a piece of kraft cheese between the buttery slices, and smashed it all together. I placed my culinary creation on a plate, opened the microwave, excitedly put my plate inside, and set the clock for five minutes. After I closed the microwave door, I pressed start and walked away. I thought that was going to be the best grilled cheese ever! A few moments later, the house started smelling like burnt popcorn and death! Yep. Death. I ran to the microwave and a plume of smoke billowed out. I nearly destroyed a microwave making a grilled cheese sandwich and I was still hungry!
I asked a group of students about the craziest thing they had ever done because of hunger. One said he ate frozen food, another made a strange combination of food, and a final one said he stole from his mother's purse. It seems extreme, but it is daunting what people will do to satisfy their hunger pains.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6 NKJV)
In East Palestine, Ohio, around eight o’clock PM, an 8-year-old boy and his 4-year-old sister enjoyed a McDonald’s Cheeseburger, Chicken nuggets and fries. That’s about normal until you learn how they got there. That evening, his parents came home and fell asleep after feeding their children. The 8-year-old was still hungry. He grabbed the keys to his dad’s work van, his little sister and headed to McDonalds. The boy made his way down the road with near perfect driving skills. At the fast food chain, they recognized the absurdity of an 8-year old ordering food from a work van alone. The authorities were called but a question was asked before they were released. “How did you learn to drive?” The answer was simple, he learned it on YouTube.
Although it is exciting and entertaining to know that an 8yr old drove to McDonalds, I am more intrigued at the fact that his hunger for physical food was only superseded by his hunger for knowledge.
Often the greatest deterrent to our dreams is ourselves. Even if everyone else believes in us - it doesn't mean a thing if we don't personally believe it and feed it.
I have 2 points and then I will get out of your way
Denzel Washington noted that the same theater that denied him 30 years ago is the same theater he recently starred in for the play Fences.
Will Smith pointed out, “The most blissful place in life is a place on the other side of fear and terror.”
Michelle Obama admonished, ”Instead of letting your hardships and failures discourage or exhaust you, let them inspire you. Let them make you even hungrier to succeed."
The difference between successful people and stagnant people is hunger. Success is not a straight path - there are going to be some bumps
1. Stay hungry
To this day, my mother says, “If you’re hungry enough you will eat.” I believe that many of us are undernourished and ok with it. We have had some moments of great accomplishment then wired our mouths shut. The bible says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Just as God has more than one plan for you, you were meant to achieve more than one thing in life. You have to stay hungry for accomplishment. Make a career goal, achieve it, and make another one. Make a physical body goal, achieve it, and make another one. Make an educational goal, achieve it, then make another one. Every day is another opportunity to be successful. Yet, the true measure of success is determined by you and not necessarily what people think of you.
2. Eat right
Any good athlete knows that proper nutrition is paramount for quality performance. You must feed on what will help you grow. Avoid copious amounts negativity and career toxic circumstances. Although I do believe that disappointment can drive you to work harder, don't dwell in destructive behavior. Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (NLT). What you consume spiritually, emotionally, and physically is the fuel you will use to power towards your next goal. Cheap or contaminated fuel won't propel you very far.
Success isn't achieved by convenience it is acquired through consistency.
In closing, I love how our little cheeseburger YouTube driver not only fed himself but also looked out for his sister. Success is for more than you.
Hunger for right living, hunger for your career, hunger for your family, hunger for better days.
How far will/can you go because of your hunger? The best is yet to come.
