This is the kind of good news that may start out as challenging news. With a little practice and re-reading, it becomes the best news you’ve probably come across all week. You got this, bear with me.
I’m going to assume for a second.. Because you have access to this article, you have not experienced pure desperation for food, water, or shelter. If I am wrong, please forgive me.
I’m talking, at no point in your life have you gone completely without the necessities you needed to survive. Minimal, maybe. Most of us as Americans are blinded by how blessed we truly are to be Americans.
With every channel giving us constant reminders of how much evil erupts in the world, I’ve resonated with the word desperate more than ever before. It seems as though for the first time in my life, I’ve felt desperate for more in each area of humanity.
Desperation for our children.
Desperation for our country.
Desperation for our relationships.
Desperation for love.
Can you relate?
This desperation isn’t one of hunger, thirst, or for protection. This is a desperation that calls from the depths of our soul.
Psalm 23 is the balm that I believe David penned for us to apply in times of soul desperation. He writes,
“The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me,
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
This isn’t the snack we need to sustain our stomachs. This is the soul snack we need to renew our faith. There is a King that lives in heaven who has a bigger plan for you and me. (Jeremiah 29:11)
In a culture where we have an abundance of what we need and want, we are conditioned to believe that there is no breaking point. We are desperate for everything to keep going because we’d otherwise fall apart. A college professor once told me, “If you haven’t suffered greatly yet, it’ll happen any moment.”
Jesus intended for things to be simple. He connects his body and his blood to the very thing that our human body knows and needs. To be quenched, we must drink and eat. For our souls to sustain, we need to make sure our soul also eats.
Soul snacks to try:
Praying
Journaling
Reading scripture
Worshipping
Talking with friends
Volunteering
Listening
Loving
Laughing. Lots more laughing.
Go for a walk
Admire creation
There is this crazy phenomenon that happens when you personally ask Jesus to reveal something to you through His word or Spirit. It happens. I’ve been told His responses can be summed up to yes, no, or not yet.
If I’ve gathered anything from the friends and family I’m surrounded by, it’s that we are HUNGRY. Hungry for more than what the tasty tailgate snacks and grandma’s pumpkin pie can offer. Even though I am always looking forward to that.
Our souls are famished. All the while, there is a provider in heaven that is just waiting to nourish us. His burden is light. His provisions are plenty. His desire for us is that our soul depends on Him, always. Especially, when they need something to eat.
Local Pulse Staff Writer & Holy Moments Columnist, Makenna Curtis
