Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Hunger is Good but Not Wise
The
16-foot hamburger laden with lettuce, tomato, pickles and cheese stared down at
millions of commuters from its new perch in the middle of the city. Sprawled in front of the tempting graphic was
one word: hungry? In the bottom corner
of the billboard was the name of a restaurant. I am guessing that advertisement caused more
than one person to re-route to the suggested destination. Restaurants everywhere are counting on the fact that you and I get hungry on a daily
basis. The cycle can be productive : hunger
motivates us to find food, food is not free, so we are motivated to work, which,
in turn, makes us productive. Without hunger societies would become
unproductive and people would die from
malnutrition.
In
the above sense, hunger can be good. But
hunger is not wise. A child has to be
taught what kinds of things are good to eat and what kinds of things are
"yucky". Whole societies
adjust their diet as they discover which foods are most nutritious. My point is that the feeling of hunger is no
proof that one should eat everything in sight -- a bicycle, paint or rocks. God did not design
us to be undiscerning like goats. We can
reason, learn. For example when we
observe someone eating rotten squash and later see them in the restroom
throwing up we can conclude that rotten squash is not a wise choice for
satisfying our hunger. Hunger is good, but it is not wise.
This
concept should be applied to the topic which has obsessed our world -
love. What many people call being in love
is very likely simply love-hunger. A feeling that you need intimacy is no
evidence that the person to whom you are attracted is a good, healthy or morally
acceptable choice. The desire for love
is good, but it is not wise.
I
have no doubt that my personal experience had greatly influenced my views on
this matter. I needed love. I searched until I found someone who shared
my values and would be faithful in her relationship with me. After carefully determining that my wife was
not someone who would use me nor allow me to use her, I was able to enter into
the best love relationship of my entire life.
I am forever indebted to parents, teachers and preachers who spoke into
my life and helped me to be wise in pursuit to satisfy the love-hunger within
me. I am glad that they held me to boundaries
that kept my premarital relationships courteous and respectful. The influence of God and church taught me the
dangers associated with unhealthy, emotional and sexual encounters that leave
both parties unsatisfied and wounded. I
learned that my emotional needs were legitimate and good but not wise. Wisdom came with restraint, selflessness and
listening to others who had established successful relationships.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
