Spiritual Hunger

 

“There is a spiritual hunger in the world today - and it cannot be satisfied by material things alone.” 

Adlai E. Stevenson, the renowned statesman and ambassador to the United Nations, had a deep spirituality. The quote above is as true today as it was when he first spoke it in his 1956 Democratic acceptance speech. The world still has a deep and unquenched spiritual hunger. Why? 

I believe, as Stevenson did, that our priorities are in the wrong places. Too many of us are striving for a better life through material things. However, new cars, bigger houses, the latest technical gadgets and closets full of clothes cannot fill the emptiness in one’s soul. Since COVID, this emptiness has become more apparent due to the lack of things to occupy our minds.  Many of us have never sat alone with ourselves.

How do we fill the emptiness? What can we do as we head into the eighth month of this pandemic? 

For me, natural beauty of any kind fills my heart and soul with joy. Music, religious as well as secular, art, and literature all touch something deep within me that often raises my spirits high. Truly connecting with friends and relatives on ZOOM or other video chat forums has allowed me to share intimate moments filled with laughter, caring and even tears. However, my time alone with the Creator feeds my spiritual hunger best. 

Time alone is something we have sacrificed in lieu of the busyness of life. However, since March, most of us have been forced into being alone to some degree or another.  Closures, self-isolation, and physical distancing have all left us feeling confused and fearful. Trying to keep up with emails, Facebook, bills, video meetings, all add to our lack of “you and me” time with the Source. Even our attempts at being with Spirit on the weekend has been curtailed with Church closures. 

The old adage that we don't know what we have until it is gone, certainly rings true now. Things we took for granted, like going to work, going to the store, going to visit and yes, going to church have suddenly been taken from us. Is it any wonder we are starving spiritually?

However, I believe we can glean a bit of soul food from the most unexpected places. Sometimes it can be found in the lines of a speech, or the comments of a friend. At other times, we can pick up a book or paper and read something that carries us through the day, the week, the year. Still other times, we can find ourselves completely satiated by the kindness of a stranger or a hug from a child. 

Spiritual hunger does not need to exist if we but open ourselves up to the possibilities for harvesting food for the soul in our daily lives. Begin your day by giving thanks to whatever you call the Source. Gratitude is the greatest tool for lifting the spirit and filling the emptiness of the soul. Begin by being grateful for the little things - the sunshine, rain, your coffee or tea, the warmth of your home - soon gratitude will become a way of life. 

Gratitude enables us to harvest other food for the soul. Joy, happiness, and most especially Love can be found in abundance at the Spiritual Banquet. 

No matter who you are, what you believe or where you find yourself in this moment, know that you can nourish your spirit simply by opening yourself up to all the grace that surrounds you. 

Blessings!