¹“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it’s all free! ²Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. ³“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life.

Isaiah 55:1-3

This might only be my habit. But maybe you do it too?!

I confess — I peruse the shopping carts of other shoppers while in line at the supermarket. My curiousity gets the best of me and I unashamedly take stock of the food items others are buying.

Wednesday morning I made a quick stop at the store to buy a leek. The man in front of me had four frozen pizzas and yogurt. The man behind me had microwave popcorn, soda, candy and a package of waffle cookies. I wondered if these items were staples in their homes or special purchases. To be honest, it didn’t seem like food that would give much strength for the day.

I suppose everyone pays for food at one time or another that doesn’t really feed the body well. There was a time in our family life we did that very thing. Sunday evenings were our party night. The children were quite young and we allowed them to choose all kinds of food that didn’t provide much nutrition. Candy, chips, pizza, popcorn, soda — whatever they wanted. Then we ate these snacks and watched movies. It made great memories but didn’t fuel our bodies very well.

There are other needs we have that are unrelated to our physical body but just as important. We are all put together with longings designed to be met in relationship with our Creator. We need love, security, significance, purpose, belonging, understanding – to name a few. Too often, we attempt to find fulfillment for these longings outside a relationship with Jesus.

I need to know I am unconditionally loved which too often I looked for in human relationships. My desire to belong was filled with groups, clubs, causes that may or may not have reflected wholesome values. In order to be significant, I needed others to know I was smart, talented, educated, accomplished. I doubted that in myself I was enough. I remained hungry and unfulfilled with my longing still screaming to be met.

Spending money — time and effort — on food that does not satisfy or fill the longings of the heart keeps one busy and preoccupied. It might even be difficult to understand how a relationship with one’s Creator could fill those longings. I understand that conundrum. I cannot physically see God, but he fills the human longings of my heart?

It’s much easier than it sounds. Because God is alive, active and involved in the world in the presence of the Holy Spirit and through his written Word, I can know real fellowship with my Creator! I read his Word and know that he loves me unconditionally. It tells me my purpose is to love God and love others in all I do. He understands me completely, even when others don’t. He is my fortress, strong tower, my protection and security. He can be yours as well.

If you find that you have spent too much money on food that doesn’t fill your heart or satisfy your longings, I challenge you to give the invitation in today’s verse a try. Come to him with your ears wide open and give him a listen!