Proverbs 27

Proverbs 27:7 "He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet."

This chapter of Proverbs is full of good quotes that are some of the most famous in the entire book. But this one is not one of the most famous, although it has a meaning that is deep and runs straight to the heart of the 21st century USAmerican Christian.

Once, while on a mission trip, we noticed (as many do) the sense of joy among the people we were serving. And as we talked to the people, we suddenly found out how the Gospel was spreading all around the region in ways that were uncontainable. And then we looked to the US, where the Church is barely holding steady, and we asked aloud "How can this be?"

The answer we got was surprising- "Your people do not need to trust God." It hit us like a brick; not because the statement was a lie, but because it is true. We are surrounded with the majority of the world's wealth and posessions, we can (generally) afford things which other societies and peoples strain for (clean water, some kind of regular food supply). Even the unemployment we face, while high, hardly ranks with other parts of the world which face over 50% unemployment. Even in our tough times, we are still better equipped than much of the world. In other words, we are full. And we trust in our money, our technology, our politics, our (fill in the blank) to keep us full. So when God acts, we do not see need for it- we don't need the honey of God's presence.

Jesus, the same Jesus who we celebrate in the resurrection, emptied Himself when He became human two thousand years ago. He did not consider Himself full, so that He might be filled by God. That is an example to us all, and one I pray for myself and for all. May we empty ourselves so that we can place our full trust in God.