2 Thoughts on Christian Soul Food

Have you ever been reminded of God’s Word by a situation you find yourself in? Have you remembered your Creator while walking through a field or forest? Has the presence of a child reminded you that we must be like children, gladly receiving God’s unconditional love?

The heavens and all of creation truly declare the glory of God. The more we read God’s book of words, the more we see him in his “book of nature”.

By such circumstances on my vacation last week I was reminded of two essential foods for every Christian soul: Majesty and Fellowship.

1) Majesty

Last week I had the opportunity to vacation with my Hannah’s family. We all piled into a beach house for several days. One morning before another day of fun began, I got up at dawn and ran the board walk along the coast. It was beautiful that morning, truly “majestic“. I intended to go out and run my usual set of miles then be back to the house quickly. But as I set out and got close to completing those miles, I was so captivated by the view of the sand and sea, the feel of the breeze, the sound of the waves, and the creativity of the buildings along the coast, that I kept running. I ran twice the distance that I had intended.

Photo by Sean Oulashin on Unsplash

I ran further than I have all year, why? I ran for so long because the majesty of what I saw “compelled me” onward. In the words of that wonderful mouse, Reepicheep, from Lewis’ ‘Chronicles of Narnia’:

“Further up and further in…”

True beauty that is pursued becomes motivating and guiding. This is what Paul spoke of when he said:

“For the love of Christ controls [compels] us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Paul is teaching us of the compelling power of the wonderful truth that “one has died for all, therefore all have died…that those who live might…live…for him who for their sake died and was raised (see also Rom. 6:1-11). It is this majestic word of the gospel that kept Paul motivated and guided him in his endeavors.

Being made in the likeness of God, we feed and run off of that which is beautiful and delightful. Running twice my usual miles, and with some pain, was because I was enraptured by the beauty around me; it kept me going.

For our race in the Christian life we need to, as John Piper says, “Swim in the Bible“. Don’t open the Bible to read a story or chapter. Sit down with your Bible to read God’s words with the anticipation that he will speak to you, teaching of his great love and vast personality. Open the pages of scripture as you would a window, that light might breakout into your soul, sobering you to his splendor. Catch a glimpse of his majesty and obedience to Christ will be your joy.

2) Fellowship

As I neared the end of my run and the pain set in, I found reprieve from an unexpected source.

I began to run past a man who…looked like a runner. His clothes were running/biking brands; he was slender. As I past him he said:

“Keep it up. Your form looks good.”

Because I was not concerned about my time but merely my distance, I spun around and began to jog backwards as I chatted with this gentleman for about 50 yards. We briefly chatted about running and swimming, then I spun back around and carried on.

Photo by Fitsum Admasu on Unsplashlory

The next half mile to a mile was a breeze. “Fellowship” with that man over our interest in running had energized me in an unexpected way.

Isn’t that like those wonderful moments of vibrant Christian fellowship. The discussion with another believer about what God has been teaching us from the Word. It is when a group prays TOGETHER. When you discuss the Sunday morning sermon with a dear brother or sister in Christ. To serve one another; to serve together.

I remember one Sunday afternoon about four-years-ago when I walked home from church exhausted from a morning of prepping the sanctuary and preaching to the congregation. I was walking home to have dinner with two families who had visited Hannah and I. However, I wasn’t dreading it. I was tired but I knew these two families well enough to know that the fellowship would be strengthening, not draining.

A tired body can do much when the soul is stirred up by true Christian fellowship.

Conclusion

I hope this week you will take a walk through the pages of scripture. Admire the beauty and depth. Ask God to “open your eyes that you might see wondrous things from his law.” May the Lord lead you to opportunities to fellowship with brethren and be strengthened for your duties to God. Seek his wonderful face in the quiet of your “prayer closet” and in the “assembly of the righteous” (Psalm 1:5).