Why Did God Create Hunger?

Sometimes I wonder why God created hunger. He could have made us in a way that we never needed food or water. But maybe hunger has a deeper purpose.

The first reason, I feel, is that hunger connects us with nature. When we are hungry, we look for food — fruits, vegetables, grains — all gifts from the earth. It reminds us that our life depends on the plants, the trees, the rain, and the soil. We start to care for nature because we realize how much it cares for us. Through hunger, God gently keeps us connected to the world around us.

The second reason could be that hunger teaches us to serve one another. It reminds those who have the skill to cook to express it, and in doing so, they automatically serve those who are hungry. Hunger creates a natural connection among people. It can also become an expression of love. When I feel deep love for the people or children around me, I look for ways to express it. If I know how to cook — or really, if I have any skill — I can use it to show that love. I might prepare something special and share it with those I felt love. In that moment, cooking (or any other talent) becomes a beautiful way to express love.

And this idea doesn’t stop with hunger. The same is true for every skill and talent we have. Whether it’s cooking, teaching, healing, building, or creating — every ability is a chance to serve or a way to express love. In a world where everyone uses their unique gifts in service or as an expression of love, survival takes care of itself. No one needs to work specifically to survive.

So maybe hunger — and every need — was never meant to make us struggle, but to remind us that we are here to connect, to love, and to serve.

Appendix: Meditate on the following

Imagine if the system of formal education were replaced by something that helped children recognize and express their unique potential.

Imagine if the institution of marriage were replaced by genuine relationships guided by the inner divine voice.

Imagine if religion were replaced by something that helps each person grow in awareness of their true self.

You may think this sounds impractical — and I also felt so in the beginning. But all of this has happened within me, and there’s no reason why it cannot happen in you or others as well.

I agree that we may not be able to create new systems through this approach. But transformation can happen personally — individually. As the number of transformed individuals grows, it may begin to appear as if a new system has formed. This is a bottom-up change, not one imposed from the top like traditional systems. Systems, by nature, try to enforce uniformity — and that often leads to subtle or visible violence, because we cannot force one opinion or one way of life upon everyone. Each person is unique, a masterpiece in their own right.