I am hungry. I mean, like I could eat a half a cow kind of hungry.
Do you know that kind of feeling?
I started my 15th diet last week, OK, not my 15th; truth be told, the actual number is probably more like 29.
It seems like ever since I turned 16 years old, I have been on one diet or another.
There was the cabbage soup diet, the nothing but chicken diet, the egg diet, and the Slim Fast diet.
Every one of those meals left me feeling like I was going to die from starvation.
I was angry all the time.
My stomach was gnawing on my backbone, or at least that is how it felt.
When you are on a diet, you feel empty, and all you can think about is how you want more.
In the book of John, we learn about how Jesus took five loaves of bread, and two small fish blessed them and fed five thousand people.
By the end of the meal, when everyone had their fill, there were still 12 baskets of food leftover.
Later, those well-fed people decided the man who performed this miracle was “surely the Prophet who was to come into the world” (John 6;14); knowing this about them, scripture tells us Jesus left and went by himself to sit on a mountainside.
It was not until the next day when the people realized that he had left the area, so they went looking for him.
Once they found him, Jesus immediately tells them the truth about themselves; he tells them it was not the signs he performed that made them come looking for him; it was because they ate and had their fill.
When I go on a diet, it is not because I love the feeling of being hungry. I go on diets because I want to look good.
The ones whom Jesus fed were not seeking him because of who he was; they looked for him because he made them feel good. Jesus saw their true intent.
You see, it is not so much about WHAT we are chasing after as much as it is WHY we are chasing after it.
My perspective on being on another diet can easily be shifted from “I want to look good in my jeans” to “I want to be healthy and live life more thoroughly” based on my WHY.
It is not as hard to follow a diet when I know my life depends on it.
And it is not hard to follow Jesus when our motives are right. When we realize our eternity depends on it.
If we are chasing after him because of the things we can get, we miss the whole point of why he came here.
Jesus told those folks who followed him to that mountainside, “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” (John 6:27).
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35).
Will I ever be hungry again now that I am following Jesus?
Physically, yes, I will, but physical food was not what he was talking about on that day.
Jesus spoke about the hunger we all have deep down inside of us that testifies to something more.
We all have a desire deep within us that only Jesus can satisfy.
I have some awesome news for you; if you know that feeling of emptiness that nothing else can satisfy, I can point you to the One who can fill you to overflowing.
Jesus did not hide from the people who chased after him and he is not hiding from you today either.
He is not playing hide and seek with you.
He is looking for YOU, and he wants to fill you to overflowing.
He is a promise keeper—whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35).
Once you realize he has been the one drawing you to himself, you will know there never be anything or anyone that can satisfy you like he can.
Pamela Fair
Maya Angelou once said, "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." This statement resonates with me. My past experiences have made me a stronger person eager to use my story to inspire and help others see that regardless of who they are or where they have been, there is always hope and to know the ability to rise above circumstances lies within.
Each day, I strive to walk in faith and hope surrounded by my family and friends' love and encouragement. I am blessed to have a life full of experiences, some good, some bad, and my ambition is to use those experiences to enrich those around me. I am a local business owner and church Executive Assistant in Highland, Arkansas. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and student.
My passion is to help those in need who are ready and willing to do the necessary work it takes to help themselves. Assisting individuals who have experienced trauma, loss, stress, grief, and various life changes are the drive behind attending Southwestern Assemblies of God University to obtain my associate degree in Human Services. I plan to further my education in this field by getting my bachelor's degree in behavioral health. I hope to use my experiences and knowledge to encourage, strengthen, and facilitate assistance to those who are in need.
I am also working alongside my husband in the community as an Automotive Collision Repair Facility owner. It has been a great privilege to assist my husband in pursuing his lifelong dream. We enjoy our work together, and it is an exciting experience for me to learn his field of expertise and engage with so many phenomenal people in our area.
I am a fun-loving individual who thrives on living life and pursuing dreams! I am an avid chess player, a lover of all things feline, and a big fan of essential oils! At the age of 50, I decided to return to school to earn my GED. Since then, I have become a member of Phi Theta Kappa and a Notary Public. I have completed credentials for ministry, became a certified grant writer, trained in hospital chaplaincy, and certified in Christ-Centered leadership. Additionally, I am a member of the North American Christian Social Workers Association (NACSW), where I have been trained in "The Role of Christian Faith and Spirituality in the Grieving Process" and "Suicide Prevention for Christians in Social Work." I am an active member of the Spring River Chamber of Commerce and the Spring River Car Club.
My faith is a huge part of my desire and passion for helping others. I strive to always be, as Christ, a light in this world and in the lives of others. In John 8:12, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." I endeavor to help others see the light in the darkness.
About Beautiful Feet:
Romans 10:15 (NIV)
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
"For every circumstance and season of life, God has promises that offer direction, peace, perspective and wisdom. "Bible Promises for You" is a collection of promises taken from the New International Version of the Bible and is categorized by topic for easy reference."
God led Jimmy and Pam Fair, in 2015, to partner with Highland Assembly of God, to GIVE Bible Promise Books, Devotionals, and Bibles to anyone who needs direction, peace, perspective, and wisdom.
Contact Highland Assembly or Pam Fair for more information.
870-856-3886
