This adage sheds light to a symbiotic relationship between anger and hunger. It actually describes it peak moment. I am almost certain the person that came up with the adage did not think of food. It is much deeper than that. He was describing frustration. A hungry desire....I want, I need, I cannot have...result I am angry. Why am I angry...because "No" is not an acceptable answer yet it keeps getting thrown to my face. He was saying...I need to hear a "yes".
A beautiful woman she was, must have been. Married to a man who absolutely adored her. He did everything in his power to please her. Giving her the best of the sacrificial choice meat, double the portion compared to her co-wife Peninah, who unlike her had children to feed. Still it was not enough. The bareness in her life overwhelming, not to mention the taunting from Peninah. Year after year she had to endure mockery.
Elkanah would have loved to be the solution when he said "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?" 1Samuel 1:8 (NIV). What he did not know was her satisfaction could not be found in him. Her hunger was not that of choice meat, neither her husband's love and understanding. Her hunger was for a child. In her own eyes, she would be termed complete by her ability to not only attract a husband but give him children. She needed and wanted to meet this need. She was distressed by her inability to meet this purpose.
"In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. And she made a vow to the Lord saying, 'Oh Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servants misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.' ...Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, 'How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.' 'Not so, my lord,' Hannah replied, 'I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.' Eli answered, ' Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him.'
She said, 'May your servant find favor in your eyes.' Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast." Genesis 1:9-18 (NIV)
The cumulative effects of hunger, led to desperation, which then instigated angry pursuit. She was sick and tired of her hungry situation. Her need had to be met if it meant spending the rest of her life, her head rested on that altar. She was not going to leave until she heard a "yes". My opinion, she could have heard the yes from a goat about to be slaughtered and she still would have risen up and walked. The issue here was not where it came from. After a long time of defeat, this woman needed a glimmer of hope. Look at her prayer "...if you will look upon your servant's misery and remember me..." 1Samuel 1:11 (NIV). She did not care how...she just wanted to be remembered. We call it a sign, when Eli spoke onto her situation with favor that was enough for her. It lifted her countenance.
As I think about this story and I look at my areas of hunger. Angry pursuit is justified. How much hungrier does a person need to get so they realize they need to rise up and pursue what they know they are capable of? Is it another year of taunting by your failures, or another decade of same old same old? Tell me, what exactly does it take, to instigate a repositioning from the cushion which is our comfort zones, into the realm which I admit is unknown but has hope. Hannah had delved into a life of pity parties long enough. Peninah would taunt her and her response would be a silent cry at the table, unable to even enjoy the choice meats her husband had laid before her. I guess its true what say, misery does loves company. The only reason for Peninah's taunting was out of jealousy because she recognized the special treatment handed to Hannah by Elkanah.
It wasn't until Hannah rose up from this place of pity and pursued what she knew was rightfully hers, from the source, that she was able to accomplish what she knew to be her purpose. Relentless she pressed on until she finally heard the sound of a "Yes". "No" was no longer an acceptable answer. My prayer is we arrive to this place where we reject rejection and press our way into acceptance, we fail failure by winning, we turn our backs on taunt by relentless pursuing purpose, turning our misery into victory.
My conclusion: An arrow rested in its quiver is useless. It must be taken into the hunters hand and propelled towards the prey. Hit or miss, then and only then does it serve its purpose as an arrow. Gifts and talents granted to us should not be in a quiver but should be taken into our hands and released into the air towards a target...DESTINY!!! Destiny stands in need of you and me.
So what is your purpose? What are you here for? What are you doing to accomplish it? Think about it.
~Penzi Amani~
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