It’s morning. I’m hungry.
EMPTY.
ALSO EMPTY.
Though I ate yesterday, and the day before, and all the days of my 63 years, I need more today. Once again my emptiness needs to be filled, so I have strength to do whatever is ahead of me today.
Ahhh, much better.
I am renewed, cheered, caffeinated.
FULL. And grateful.
But wait, still more – my soul needs food, too.
“…man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 8:3
So what am I hungry for this morning? What does my soul need?
It varies, as life varies. But just as I go to my kitchen to find food for my body, I know food for my soul is found in the word of God, described as living and active (Hebrews 4:12), filling me with what I need to be wise and thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:15-17). When I’m weary and burdened, I’m invited to find rest for my soul from Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30). When I need courage, check it out, I discover he is not over on the shore wishing me well in my storm, but he is in the boat with me (Matthew 14:27), so I tell my heart to “take courage! and do not be afraid.”
No surprise, I regularly need wisdom. There are just so many decisions to be made, and they keep on coming. I don’t know what to do, or I wonder if what I have been doing is the wisest thing to be doing. What a relief to have clarity and direction (Proverbs 6:21-23), given generously without finding fault (James 1:5) by my trusted Guide who leads me (Psalm 23:2-4), and renews my hope even when I don’t see clearly (Isaiah 50:10).
I need forgiveness (Psalm 25:7, 11) because sometimes I do know what to do, yet decide I just don’t want to. Or I leave undone what I ought to do. But either way, I find forgiveness when I name my wrong and ask for pardon (I John 1:9). I need to be challenged to have integrity, an inward life that matches my outward face (James 1:22, 26), rather than pay God lip service, while having a heart that is far from him (Matthew 15: 8,9).
I need to remember Jesus prays for me in my weakness, was tempted as I am (but passed each test), and welcomes me to come confidently for grace and mercy in my times of need (Hebrews 4:12-16). (Which is to say, ha ha, all the time.) And that he is faithful and just to forgive me when I confess (I John 1:9).
There is just so much! I need to know what love looks like in the nitty gritty (I Corinthians 13), what humility looks like (Philippians 2: 1-11), what to do when I am weary (Matthew 11:28-30), how to get perspective (Psalm 46:10), what enduring good news is (Romans 1:16, 17), and what it costs (Mark 8:34-38) I need help (Psalm 121). I need words when I am overwhelmed (Psalm 130) or short-sighted (Psalm 39:4) or thirsty in spirit (Isaiah 55:1-3, 6,7) or thankful (Psalm 103). Basically, I need the Word of God.
“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.”
Jeremiah 15:16
Not just once, but all day long, I need to fill my emptiness physically and spiritually. It’s a package deal.
Come, fill up. As my Greek grandfather was known to urge, “Eat! Enjoy!”
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Psalm 119:103