The Hike of Spiritual Hunger

We may not always feel the hunger, but our weakness always proves our need for the Word.

If you haven’t figured this out about me yet, I love to hike. Going out into nature fills my soul. All of my kids love to hike and run, too, so I often join them on their adventures. This particular weekend was no exception.

Our church has a fellowship meal most weeks; it’s a great time to connect while nourishing the body. This particular week, I had a nice bowl of mixed fruit sprinkled with ground chia creating a good, light breakfast. Usually, when it comes to the full meal at church, I skip it, opting instead to have a protein drink when I get home before we head out on a hike.

This week, we came home, changed clothes, and planned to meet up with another group. We were running late, so we were in a hurry to get out the door. As we pulled out of the driveway, it suddenly hit me: I had forgotten to drink my protein drink! I told myself it would be fine—it was only a four-mile hike, after all. My son mentioned he had some snacks if I needed them, but I felt okay for the moment.

It was about a 45-minute drive to the trail. As we started hiking down a steep hill, I was doing just fine. I hadn’t anticipated such a sharp incline, but it didn’t seem like a big deal at first.

The hike was two miles down and two miles back up. When we reached our destination, it was breathtaking. We were right beside a lake, and the view was well worth the trek down. We stayed there for about an hour before starting our journey back out. That is when trouble hit.

I realized then that I desperately needed a boost. It had been around eight hours since I’d eaten that small bowl of fruit. I told my son I’d better have that snack, only for him to tell me he’d left it in the car because I hadn't asked for it earlier. To make matters worse, I hadn't brought any water as a backup. I decided I would just have to try and make it.

The return trip was only two miles, but it was an elevation gain of around 1,700 feet, most of which hit in the first mile. I started that trek focused on putting one foot in front of the other, talking to the others to keep my mind occupied. To be honest, I didn’t feel hungry, but my body simply didn’t have the fuel to keep going. On top of everything else, I was carrying a puppy in a front-pack that weighed about 10 pounds. Ugh!

I’m not sure how far I was when I realized how desperate my situation was. I noticed my son was no longer with us and hoped he had gone ahead to get me a snack. He had done exactly that. I was about half a mile from the car when he arrived with water and a sugary snack to give me enough energy to finish.

It made me think: How many times do we eat a "bowl of fruit" (God’s Word) for breakfast, then forget to "eat" anything else throughout the day? We don't even send up a prayer. We try to navigate steep mountains—trials and temptations—without any nourishment. Our spiritual lives are starving; we can’t manage our day. We fail because we are weak. We may not even feel hungry for the Word, but just as my physical exhaustion proved my body needed fuel, our spiritual weakness proves our need to be nourished by God.

I think of Daniel, who prayed morning, noon, and night.

"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." (Daniel 6:10, KJV)

He had God as his constant companion. I want to carry God’s presence with me throughout the day, not just settle for a quick "breakfast" of Him. I am making a commitment to be more intentional—to be led and guided by God and stay fully connected to Him. I want to be so nourished by His Spirit that His strength empowers me for whatever "mountains" I may need to climb.

Dear Father in Heaven,

"I admit that I often try to walk the steepest parts of my life on an empty soul. I commit today to stop relying on my own fading strength. Please forgive me for the times I’ve neglected the nourishment of Your Word. I choose to stay connected to You from morning until night, drawing my energy, my patience, and my joy from Your presence. Be my constant companion on this trail.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen."

5 Action Steps to Stay Connected

1. The "Noon-Day" Check-In: Set an alarm on your phone for midday. Even if it’s just for two minutes, stop and pray or read one Psalm to "refuel" for the afternoon.

2. Scripture "Snacking": Keep a verse on your lock screen or a sticky note in your car. These small "bites" of truth keep your mind stayed on Him.

3. The Puppy Principle: When life feels heavy (like carrying a 10-pound puppy!), immediately vocalize it to God. Don't wait until you're exhausted to ask for help.

4. Pray Without Ceasing: Turn your commute or your chores into a conversation. Talk to God as you would a friend hiking right beside you.

5. Evening Review: Before bed, look back at your day. Thank God for the "water and snacks" (the small blessings) He provided to help you finish the climb.

The climb may be steep and the pack may be heavy, but we weren't meant to hike this life on an empty stomach. Eat well, stay hydrated in the Spirit, and I’ll see you at the top!

What "mountain" are you trying to climb today on an empty stomach, and what is one way you can stop to refuel with God right now?

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