21 Mar Hungry For Impact
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.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful… “give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Luke 6:36-38)
Over the years, many Rice & Beans Month participants have found it rewarding that doing something so practical truly helps families in need. The world is full of huge and heavy problems that are beyond our ability to fix. Still, we want to have an impact wherever we can.
Jesus is our best example of this! He did not heal every sickness, overthrow every corrupt leader, or solve every social problem. He listened to the Father and lived with intention and purpose. And he teaches us that impact works both ways. It’s not that we give to prove we deserve something in return, it’s that giving simply isn’t designed as a one-way venture. The very act of offering something to another creates a space for us to receive.
The desire to make an impact is linked with the desire to be impacted. Jesus’ heart was moved with compassion for people, Jesus wept at the death of his friend, Jesus was touched by life and relationships and so are we. We don’t want to give and remain unaffected. May we all make a difference on behalf of the hungry this month, expecting that it will make a difference within us, too.
Reflection Questions:
When have you both made an impact and also been impacted?
In what ways do you see Jesus’ life and ministry as an example of this?
Hungry for more? Check out our devotional book called A Common Meal. Full of daily devotions for adults and kids, inspiring stories, and simple recipes—it’s a great way to enrich and deepen your Rice & Beans Month experience.