Soul Food

Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we have continued praying for you, asking God that you will know fully what he wants. We pray that you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things so that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God.

– Colossians 1:9-10

What’s your idea of a great meal? 

For some folks, a grilled steak, baked potato, and salad always hit the spot. Others love pizza, Vietnamese, or seafood. There’s also Mediterranean, Asian, and dozens of other cuisines. And let’s not forget those who crave vegetarian.

People’s tastes and tastebuds vary widely, but it’s their hunger that unites them. However, there’s another kind of appetite that has nothing to do with cheeseburgers, fried chicken, and ice cream. It’s the spiritual hunger that’s hard-coded into our DNA. Inside, everyone has a gnawing desire to fill a gaping internal void. Some try in vain through negative pursuits such as drug use, alcohol, compulsive spending, or gambling. Others attempt to fill it by becoming workaholics or escaping reality through social media, video games, or even travel. But once the thrill is gone, the hunger always returns. Moreover, they’re never satisfied.

Jesus addressed this universal dilemma by proclaiming (and proving) himself to be the “food” that everyone craves. As we read in John 6:35:

“I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Spiritual hunger can be beneficial. In fact, we all need a drive — a certain level of intensity — to continue developing as Christ-followers. Our Creator has so many things for us to see, experience, and comprehend during our brief existence on Earth, and that’s how we grow and mature into Jesus’ likeness. How boring would our lives be if we already knew all the answers from Day 1?

Unfortunately, too many Believers experience stunted spiritual growth because they lack the intensity to continue seeking meaning in their lives. The solution is to mature by making the most of the people, places, and situations that God puts before us each day. And it's also up to you and me to continue developing our spiritual muscles through regular Bible study, prayer, worship, Small Group participation, and other positive habits. After all, there’s nothing like a good workout to whet one’s appetite — and then satisfy it with food for the soul.