A HUNGER FOR THE LORD

Two Russian friends and I visited a Russian Orthodox Monastery situated some distance outside Moscow. The one friend had been very, very ill with an extremely high temperature after an operation and the Lord had mercifully answered our prayers and restored her health.

Now that she was well again, she brought us to this monastery as a token of her gratitude to God.

The monastery consisted of five very old cathedrals situated in a circular setting within enclosed walls. They were very old, very beautiful places of worship, adorned with the most exquisite artwork inside and out.

On arrival, we found out that these cathedrals were closed to the general public and were only to be opened to very important Russian visitors or groups of tourists from overseas, and we were obviously disappointed at the prospect of not being allowed inside. However, my one friend noticed a priest walking in the distance and ran to speak to him, explaining that I was from South Africa, and he very kindly agreed not only to open all the cathedrals for us but to also give us a guided tour.

The first cathedral contained the casket and embalmed body of a saintly person who lived hundreds of years ago. We were told that overseas tourists come to pray to and worship at his shrine from time to time - personally I find it sad that people prefer to worship the remains of a human being or an idol instead of the living God.

Entering the third cathedral, we were enthralled by the voices of the monks' choir singing songs of worship in a cappella... what an unexpected joy and blessing... we could not see them, as they were upstairs on the gallery and we, downstairs, listened in awe to their beautiful voices worshipping God in harmonious accord. The atmosphere in the cathedral was awe-inspiring. the cathedral was suffused with sunlight slanting through the numerous and  beautifully painted led paned windows. The monks' praises rang out spiraling towards heaven to the glory and in honour of Almighty God. It was as if at any given moment one might be transported to the throne room in heaven to be in the very presence of the Lord.

It was only when we left the cathedral that we became aware that our cheeks were wet with tears...

In the last cathedral, there were many paintings depicting Christ, the disciples and Mary, along the walls. Near the beautifully carved doors there was a life-size icon of Christ on the cross. We slowly and quietly wandered through the cathedral, appreciating the beautiful works of art and the hallowed atmosphere whilst listening to the peaceful voice of the priest.

I noticed a young man hesitating at the door, then slipping through. He reached the icon of Christ on the cross, knelt and on his knees, he lovingly and worshipfully took the feet of the statue between his two hands, and gently kissed the feet of the Christ.

My heart ached for him. His hunger for Christ was evidenced by his actions. After a time of prayer he rose and walked towards a painting of Mary with the Jesus Child on her lap. Her heart was depicted in red, painted with  a light glowing from within. Once again the young man came up close to the painting, stooped slightly, and placed his ear against the heart of Mary. He stood there quietly listening and praying for some time.

"Oh Lord, his hunger for You is so great," I prayed, "please reveal Yourself to him in Your resurrection power."

Another time, another place...

I am volunteering in the Christian Book Shop at our church in Pinetown, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, on a Saturday morning.

A teenage boy walks in and quietly, without a word, stands in front of the bookshelves displaying the Bibles. He stands just looking at them. Not touching, or paging, or reading...just stands, looking at the Bibles...

Eventually I walk up to him and ask him whether he would like to own a Bible of his own. "Yes, very much", he says, "But unfortunately I do not have any money."

I handed him a Bible as a gift and watched in silence as he took it, and reverently pressed it to his heart, his eyes brimming with tears...his hunger and love for the Lord also, oh so evident...

Do we understand how privileged we are to love, worship and serve Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth?

       "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled." Matt. 5:6

Thank you, Father God, for this promise. Thank you that You will reveal Yourself to those who seek You with all their hearts. Thank You for the privilege of loving and worshipping You; may we ever hunger for more of You.