John 6:26-27 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Jesus had just fed over 5,000 people with a boy’s lunch of 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Well, as you can imagine, now Jesus had quite a following. But the people were seeking him for self-centered reasons. Jesus had fed them. They had full bellies. They had received a temporary meal. That instant gratification was what drew them to Him. But here Jesus is saying that He’s not about the temporary fix. He has so much more to offer. He can offer them eternal food. That food–that bread–is HIM.

I can relate to those people who were following Jesus for the food. I’m all about food! This girl loves to eat! 🙂 Instant gratification can be tempting. I mean, sometimes it’s just easier to go out to eat than to cook, right? Can I get a witness anyone?

But this concept can apply to other areas of my life as well. And I struggle. It’s easier to watch TV than to read and study God’s Word. It’s easier to get angry than to forgive when I feel wronged. It’s easier to gossip than to hold my tongue. It’s easier to be critical than encouraging. It’s easier to be prideful than to be humble and elevate others above myself. It’s easier to stay in my warm bed than to get up and spend quality time with my Lord.

It’s easy to fill the temporary need and not think about the effects long term. We want to do what makes us feel good, and honestly, following Jesus doesn’t always feel good. Ann Voscamp says that the world needs more people who are willing to do the hard and holy things.

So here are some questions I am pondering today: Why do I seek Him? What’s my motivation? Do I seek Him for what I think I can get out of Him? Is it the blessings/gifts I get from Him here on earth? Or am I seeking Him simply to gain HIM? Do I want the blessings or the Blesser? Do I want the gifts or the Giver? 

Do I want bread that will eventually mold or Bread that will endure throughout all eternity?

It all comes back to our relationship with Him. We should seek Him for the benefit of having HIM, not just the things He does or the gifts He gives. May HE be the Bread we seek to fill our deepest hunger.