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Most americans spent much of yesterday focused on food. (Hand raised)
Every detail that I prepared for was executed to crispy golden skin, creamy smooth spuds and billowy whipped cream on slices of cinnamon-sweetened pumpkin. We feasted!
Today many of us will re-feast on the leftovers. Don’t you love that? Far less work involved but still much of the same deliciousness. The work we did to prepare over the last few days and the big effort of the feast itself, rewards us today.
As I rewarm my leftovers, I’m considering how I feed my spirit. “Leftovers” can be great for a day, or even two. But I WILL run out. And my tastebuds WILL tire of the same flavors. By saturday my mouth will want a steak, or spaghetti or pad Thai… anything other than turkey!
My spirit feasts on God’s nourishing Word, words of another that inspire me, a song, or time in God’s presence.
I must feed my spirit or it will weaken, just as my body would.
But like food for my body, food for my spirit is good for a few days. And then I need to feed on something new. Fresh food. Varied flavors. Diverse nutrients.
If you tend to always go to the same devotional to feed yours, or listen to the same podcast, consider feeding your spirit a new flavor. (*To clarify, I am NOT talking about a new ‘truth’.)
I’m saying that just as we put thought and effort into what we feed our bodies, let’s do the same for our spirits. Pick up a fresh new devotional, or start following a new preacher, or blog. Open up a book of the Bible that you’ve never read or only skimmed. Go for a walk, visit an abbey or find an isolated place and just listen to the Spirit of God as He feeds your hungry heart.
Just a day after Jesus fed a huge crowd with hungry bellies from a few fish and rolls, they follow Him and want more of the same thing. I love how Jesus fed their physical need, but then pointed out their deeper need to feed their spirits.
In John 6:26-35 (Passion Translation) “ Jesus replied, “Let me make this very clear, you came looking for me because I fed you by a miracle, not because you believe in me. Why would you strive for food that is perishable and not be passionate to seek the food of eternal life, which never spoils? I, the Son of Man, am ready to give you what matters most, for God the Father has destined me for this purpose.”
They replied, “So what should we do if we want to do God’s work?”
Jesus answered, “The work you can do for God starts with believing in the One he has sent.”
They replied, “Show us a miracle so we can see it, and then we’ll believe in you. Moses took care of our ancestors who were fed by the miracle of manna every day in the desert, just like the Scripture says, ‘He fed them with bread from heaven.’ What sign will you perform for us?”
“The truth is,” Jesus said, “Moses didn’t give you the bread of heaven. It’s my Father who offers bread that comes as a dramatic sign from heaven. The bread of God is the One who came out of heaven to give his life to feed the world.”
“Then please, sir, give us this bread every day,” they replied.
Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry. Believe in me and you will never be thirsty.”
Father, every time I am hungry, every time I feed my body, help me remember to look to You and feed my spirit with as much anticipation.
