Hungry For God

It’s one thing to change your diet, it’s another thing to change your heart. Throughout this experience, we’ll be reflecting on scripture and exploring our deepest hungers and how they can be most truly satisfied. We pray that they give you a taste of the spiritual significance behind Rice & Beans Month, and that you receive generous portions of God’s love and grace.


As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? (Psalm 42:1-2)

God created our bodies to crave food and water when they are depleted and hungry. When our souls are depleted and hungry, they crave a deep connection to the living God. Both types of hunger are real, yet it’s much harder to ignore our bodies. At a certain point, we have to eat.

Unfortunately, soul hunger can drag on as we attempt to ignore it or find substitutions for what we truly need. Can you imagine telling your stomach, “I know you are craving a crisp juicy apple right now, but how about this raw potato instead? Or some moldy cheese perhaps?” What do you offer your soul in place of what it is truly craving?

Rice & Beans Month changes our rhythms and exposes our hunger. It is not something that the “haves” undertake only to benefit the “have-nots.” We are all hungry, and we are all equally dependent on God to fill us. The good news is that God, who created us to crave divine love, does not leave us spiritually starving. As you begin this journey, focus on your soul’s deep hunger. Commit to seeking God in new ways, trusting that as you change what you feed your body, God will faithfully nourish your soul.

Reflection Questions:
What is your soul craving as this journey begins?
What steps can you take to create space for your soul’s hunger to be filled during Rice & Beans Month?