A Hunger for God
posted by Navigators on October 23rd, 2026 in Discipleship | Generations | Joy
By Tami Brown, Sydney Labouring Community
If you haven’t spent much time with Rob Bolton or any of our seasoned Navigators, I implore you: seek them out. They are a treasure trove of knowledge and experience in the Lord.
I recently spent time with Rob, asking asking about his recent health journey, the benefits of Scripture Memory and a variety of other questions. But the one most poignant to me was how you persevere with joy as you labour in the harvest field.
The answer he gave was simple, scriptural and straightforward. For Rob, it’s about being involved in the kingdom of God. Romans 14:17 says, ‘For the kingdom of God does not mean food and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’. That’s reflected in Romans 15:13, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ We have that joy, peace and believing, and yet as the Apostle Paul has expressed in 2 Corinthians 6:10 and 11:28, there will be suffering, testing, persecution and concern for others.
As Rob drew out these truths and the contrasting emotions alongside joy and rejoicing, tears came to my eyes. How easy it was for me to lose sight of the kingdom I belong to instead of listening to the Spirit and looking to God to fill me with all joy and peace as I trust Him.
The Spirit wasn’t done yet with His encouragements delivered through Rob, who went on to share the privilege of seeing people come to the Lord. Rob noted how beautiful it is when new believers write down and apply everything they are taught. ‘In my life I’ve had the privilege of seeing people come to the Lord. Everything you share with them, they write it down and apply it to their lives.’ An example is Dennis, who came to Christ and within six months had led others to Christ.
‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.’ Psalm 42:1. Photo: Jupiter Images, used under licence.
On the other hand, he acknowledges the reality of those who don’t respond in the same way. In those challenging moments, he emphasises that we must keep the door open. We need to ask for people with a heart for God like Psalm 42:1 and 63:1 express. Pray for a hunger and thirst for the Lord that brings learning, growth and a willingness to pay any price to follow Him. To not allow the world to squeeze us into its mould. Rather, as Hebrews 12 reminds us, ‘because we’re surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses … [to] run with perseverance.’
At the end of the day, it comes down to people’s response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Some people do obey and trust, [like] the men and women of faith in Hebrews 11. And some are like Demas who deserted Paul, mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:10. ‘That’s when we need to pray that God will give us men and women who love Him, who will not be beguiled by the things of this world,’ said Rob.
This spurs me on to share the gospel, pray for hungry people, knowing some will not be ready yet, and do this all with a heart filled with joy and a dependence upon God through prayer.
Tami Brown and her husband Scott, who is our current National Director, are part of our Sydney Labouring Community. They are also deeply involved in the Student Ministry at Macquarie University.
Rob Bolton has been a long-time labourer with The Australian Navigators and leads our South-East Queensland Labouring Community.
Featured image of deer silhouetted against a body of water during golden hour, photo by Gary Bendig, Unsplash.