Hungry for Jesus
By Andrea Chatelain
“Then His disciples said to each other, ‘Could someone have brought Him food?’ ‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.’” John 4:33-35
I went through a season of not knowing how to serve God. So I didn’t. I was already stretched to the max as a mother, my husband worked weird hours, and it was hard to get away. Yet there was a stirring in my heart. Jesus was knocking saying, “Look around. There’re people to serve right where you are.”
He taught me that doing the will of God starts with asking for opportunities in my sphere of influence or recognizing the opportunity I already have.
In this season, He’s called me to be a listener and encourager. So I started forging friendships in my neighborhood and community. I talked to people on dog walks, invited them over for coffee dates, playdates, park dates, or out to eat. We talk about real life because we have real needs. We need Jesus to be present and active when our marriages are rough and our children are demanding. I do my best to listen, encourage, and speak truth over others’ circumstances.
2000 years after Jesus spoke today’s verse, the “harvest” is still ripe. The people around us need to experience the love of Christ. They need to hear how He’s shown up in our lives and how He can do the same in theirs. Ask God what opportunities you’re missing and for the courage to say yes when He tells you to get to work.
Andrea Chatelain’s mission is to meet women in their struggles and love them forward with God’s truth. She's part of the Wholly Loved Ministries team, is a Midwest mom of three, faith and family writer, and college English instructor to immigrants and refugees. It’s her joy to lead Bible studies in her neighborhood, church, and community because she believes Jesus transforms lives when His people boldly seek Him. Her writing reflects her love for Jesus and heart for fellow believers. Connect with Andrea more online at www.afruitfulwoman.com.
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