Replenish My Soul
A few years ago, we stood in a massive crowd cheering the tenacity and resilience of the runners nearing the final stretch of the Austin, TX Marathon. We had been waiting at the finish line and finally saw my daughter’s neon purple outfit flash around the last corner, her glassy eyes fixed on her target. Jessica had been diligently putting one foot in front of the other for 26.2 miles despite intense hip pain in the final four. We screamed like Banshees urging her to finish strong! Later, she told me she heard the melee but dared not take her eyes off the goal.
When a physical body has exerted that much and nears depletion, it is a struggle to take even one more step. The body aches for hydration, nutrition, and rest. The runners did just that after the race ended. They rested, drank water and ate. To run again, they first had to pay attention to the needs of their bodies.
As your body is not designed to run on empty, neither is your soul.
Knowing how to replenish your soul can be baffling. Its needs are elusive and sometimes difficult to identify, especially if it has been running on “low” for a while.
This beautiful depiction from Psalm 42:1-2 declares, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God.” This sounds like the words to a melodic song, but as we read further the writer asks in verse 6, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” The writer is tormented by some unknown scenario. Have you ever wondered this about your own soul?
Although it is God who heals and restores our soul, when our soul seems downcast, we play a significant part in looking for potential reasons, asking the right questions and taking steps to regain spiritual health.
In verse 7, the writer of this Psalm continues, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Some commentators assert that the “waterfall, waves, and breakers” may be a metaphor for what is causing the writer’s dismay.
Possibly.
But what if we consider another viewpoint?
Could there be any more refreshing thought for someone who is thirsty and panting in a desert than to come to a waterfall– or to have breakers at the shore wash over them? What a gift to one who is thirsty! In moments of anxiety or disillusionment the deepest part of you (your soul) calls out to the deepest part of God.
What a vision!
You cry out to God, asking him to reveal the true condition of your soul and he will answer! God created our soul (our deepest place) and planted it within us, he is the one who can heal, fill and satisfy it. He is the one who slakes that longing and fills us to overflowing. Take a few moments now to slow your pace, to accept spiritual nourishment and refreshment in these moments with him. Inhale deeply now, draw strength from his desire to be with you and pray:
Oh, Father, please quiet my heart. Let me truly hear your deep calling to mine. Replenish my soul with your words and wisdom. I will listen for your voice and do what pleases you. Help me breathe in peace to trust your perfect plan. Amen.
Share comments below how you find ways to replenish your own soul.