Hennie Symington

I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Psalm 143:3-6

Thomas Merton the well-known Roman Catholic priest and author, once remarked that the world did not necessarily need more people who are intelligent or educated, but more people with depth. We don’t need more stuff and more exciting things to do; we need spiritual nurturing. Our souls are starving, he says.

Carl Jung, one of the great spiritual leaders of the 20th Century once remarked that spiritual well-being is such an important part of spiritual health, that as a psychologist, he refused to counsel people who were not religious.

So, what’s on the Soul Food Menu?

Meditation: Being occupied with the “things of my Father”. Start by becoming quiet and contemplating God and creation.

Prayer: This is the oldest form of spiritual practice and is probably also the most prevalent part of practising our faith. The belief that you are in contact with a greater power outside yourself, offers mental and spiritual comfort.

Spiritual Reading Material: Exposing yourself to spiritually uplifting material, broadens your spiritual horizon. Studying the Scriptures, as well as reading about spiritual matters and how others deal with certain issues, challenge you to shape your ideas about how you as a Christian should act.

Time in nature: Although God is not in nature or part of nature, when we consider the perfect order in nature, we cannot but recognise the Creator’s loving hand behind all of this.

Hungry? What stops you from tasting the fruits of God’s word and nourishing your soul?

Prayer: Lord, teach me that feeding my soul is as important for life as feeding my body. Feed us with the bread of heaven that comes from you. Amen.