Seeking True Worship in Spirit and Truth

‘The degree of fullness in any life accords perfectly with the intensity of true desire. We have as much of God as we actually want.’ ~ A.W Tozer

How much of God do you truly desire? The words of A.W. Tozer remind us that the depth of our relationship with God corresponds to the intensity of our true desire. Throughout Scripture, we are told that those who hunger and thirst for God will find Him. It is this holy discontent and fervent longing that fuels the fires of revival. 

In our generation, there is a growing number of young people who are spiritually hungry, yearning to see God move in extraordinary ways. This hunger for more of God, His presence, and His power lies at the heart of any genuine revival. In our pursuit of God, we must refuse to settle for anything less and cultivate a hunger that transforms our lives.

Cultivating Spiritual Hunger

To develop a hunger for God, we must first acknowledge that there is always more to discover and experience in our faith journey. There is a story from one of the early Desert Fathers who met an older monk and said to him, “Father, as far as I can, I say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and contemplate, I live in peace and as far as I can, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?” Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire, and he said to him, “If you will, you can become all flame.” 

Like the Desert Fathers, who sought wisdom from the older monks, we need to recognize that our current level of spiritual involvement is not the endpoint. Such recognition fuels our hunger to explore new depths in our relationship with God. It’s a story which reminds me that there is more to the life of faith than what I am currently experiencing. It’s striking to me how quickly many young people in our generation are coming to the end of themselves, and asking the same question- What else can I do? Where can I turn for that which will truly satisfy?

The Promise of Spiritual Hunger

As we cultivate spiritual hunger and seek God with our whole hearts, He promises to meet us in our place of longing. Jesus assures us that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. This promise is not limited to personal fulfillment but extends to a collective outpouring of God's Spirit.

Moses, called to lead the Israelites out of slavery, understood the power of spiritual hunger. In Exodus 33, faced with the absence of God's presence due to the people's disobedience, Moses interceded on their behalf. His plea to God was not merely to reach the promised land, but for God's presence to go with them. Moses' spiritual hunger surpassed all other desires, and the Lord answered him.

In a world that often feels parched of genuine spirituality, the story in John 4 of the Samaritan woman at the well offers a refreshing perspective. This woman, alone and likely ostracized by her community, is taken aback when Jesus, a Jew, asks her for a drink. This simple request breaks social and cultural boundaries, setting the stage for a transformative encounter; one that demonstrates Jesus’ ability to satisfy our deepest spiritual thirst, and reminds us that our pursuit of God begins with His pursuit of us. It’s a journey of spiritual hunger, and it’s a journey worth taking.

Word and Spirit

Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that the Father is seeking for those who will choose to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23). We see the potential impact of what happens when God finds such people in the life of John Wesley, the revivalist and founder of the Methodist movement. Wesley was always clear about the priority of Scripture, and also emphasized the witness of the Spirit—the work of the Holy Spirit testifying to and confirming the Word in present experience. His personal revival led to a reformation of the culture. 

I believe that this generation is longing for leaders who truly know their God, who intimately understand His Word, and who are led by the Holy Spirit. To this end, we must prioritize spending time in the secret place of prayer, where deep intimacy with God is fostered, and cultivate deep spiritual friendships to sustain our hopes for renewal.

Just as the Samaritan woman shared her testimony and led many others to encounter Jesus, a generation on fire for God will overflow with living water, meeting the deep needs of a thirsty world. Across Europe, there are more and more young people giving their ‘yes’ to Jesus and choosing to become all flame. We have the opportunity to be those who ignite revival by embracing spiritual hunger and leading others into the abundant life found in Christ.

The question for each of us is, how much of God do we truly desire?