Soul Food

“Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.

—John 4:33-34 NLT

I remember once speaking to a young woman who was studying some form of human psychology as it related to nutrition. I told her that I do not believe people should deprive themselves of things they know deep down inside that they want—from little things to larger things, if it will offer you comfort, satisfaction, fulfillment, or peace (as long as it is not ruining your life or the lives of others) people, in general, should engage in things they love. This is not saying we should live on the wild side and let ourselves go. Actually, the need for discipline is a compliment, not a contradiction, to this fact: Life demands so much from any given person, that when it comes time for being kind to yourself by engaging in things you love, we might as well do it. Spiritually speaking, this is a form of feeding and nourishing our souls.

Of course, I figured this was all just my outlandish opinion (as usual)—one I rarely expressed aloud in fear of being labeled a rebel or a zealot (as usual lol). Surprisingly, when I stated this opinion to the young woman I was talking to, she excitedly told me that there is a psychology behind how personal fulfillment “feeds us” or “nourishes us.” She said this was what she was currently studying in school and thought it was astonishing how I could even say these things with no formal training. In my defense, I was also shocked. Prior to this dialogue, I had only seen that theory as just an opinion, not even a hypothesis, having no idea it could be scientifically proven.

Well, needless to say, after having that conversation, I never considered our reference verses above in the same manner. Jesus was hungry, but surprised his disciples when his countenance appeared to be rejuvenated and nourished, simply because he engaged in “work” that fulfilled his soul. His disciples even wanted to know if someone had fed him while they were gone and Jesus had to explain to them: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”

Today, I’m wondering if you are feeding your soul with the work and things you are really called to; the things that bring you real fulfillment and nourishment. Have you taken the time out to really get to to know yourself in that way? What do you like? What feeds your soul? Eat your food and get your rest—those things are essential, of course. However, there is a great nourishment that comes from knowing yourself well enough to feed your soul with the things that you love!

Lots of Love, XO