Funny title, huh? Stay with me.

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘wolf it down’? I’ve heard it used in reference to kids stuffing their faces with birthday cake or myself when I’m enjoying ice cream because I’m the weird girl who likes to chew her ice cream. It means to eat something greedily or ravenously in large pieces or to gorge on something.

I do it less with food and more with good content.

Ever since the rise of podcasts, social media, online articles and let’s say THE SMARTPHONE, I have been ‘wolfing down’ information. And to be fair, 98% of the time it is God-exalting, Scripture-illuminating, faithful-followers-of-Jesus-life-sharing information, but still… wolfing down. And overwhelmed. Maxed out. Weary.

Why, you may be wondering, do I seem to be unsettled with this fact about myself?

Because I am. Not only does it have the makings of an idol in my heart, it’s beginning to overwhelm my capacity for the best and truest form of content: Jesus and the Bible.

In the last two weeks God has been reconstructing some longtime belief systems of mine. Heavy. Wonderful. Sharpening. Hearing His quiet voice of encouragement and wisdom has been essential. I needed to give my mind and heart the space to listen, but it was almost impossible because I wanted to keep up with the book I was reading, new podcast episodes coming out and the blog posts being delivered to my inbox almost daily.

(Also, let’s be honest, listening to a new podcast is quick and easy.. honing my ear for God’s voice takes more patience and discipline.)

I didn’t need to pump in anything new but wait with the Lord, but what I wanted was to run ahead and not miss out on the next encouraging piece of content being published. What if I missed out on something super helpful for me right now?

Um. Girl, what if you realize the only thing you ever truly need is God and His Word? And wouldn’t it be even more awesome to let God provide and care for you by directing you to timely content instead of feeling the pressure to keep up?

What if you recognized that Jesus is the Truth and if you only ever listened to Him and His Words you would have more than enough to guide, teach and excite you… forever?

These days there are some GREAT minds and hearts churning out Holy Spirit-led content, and I am super grateful for them. But the minute they become a distraction to my relationship with the Lord is when they stop being truly helpful to me. God has used books and sermons by trusted Christian leaders to inspire and form me, but it still doesn’t hold a candle to being taught and led by the Holy Spirit myself with Scripture. And truthfully, what others need from me isn’t that I be knowledgeable or well-read or have good information for them, they need me to be falling more in love with Jesus every day.

I actually laughed on more than one occasion this week when I felt the pressure to gorge on new information (either to fill the quiet or pass the time or to ease the discomfort of waiting on God) and felt God say ‘You and me. You and me. You and me. Stay here with me. Let me provide.’

So. I’m practicing this question each morning: What do I need for today, Lord? Like manna for the Israelites in the wilderness, where they collected enough to benefit and nourish and satisfy them, what truth do I need for today? Lead me there. Help me rest there, where You are.

And practically, I unsubscribed from probably 12 Christian organization/author emails. I whittled down my podcast library from 30 to about 10 (not that I listen to even those 10 every week but they are my favorites and the ones that edify me and bring lots of joy). I moved all but two audiobooks from my phone (both fiction). I’ve committed to a Hebrews study I’m working through and my current read.

May I stop “eating” everything in sight like a wolf and relax into the Holy Spirit. May I pay attention to where God is, follow His lead and allow Him to provide exactly what I need when I need it.