The Pantry of Life

John 6:35

“…I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

My husband, Joe, is notorious for standing in front of our refrigerator or pantry and just staring into the abyss as he tries to figure out what he is hungry for. He will scan the shelves and shift things around hoping to find something hidden in the back that will satisfy him. Out of frustration, he will walk away hungry despite the fact the shelves were full of nourishing food. The problem is that he doesn’t want to cook at that moment. Instead, he is looking for something quick and easy. Something that will not take up too much of his time. It’s a familiar feeling, one that many of us, including myself, experience daily.

Sadly, we often treat our spiritual nourishment the same way. We look for quick fixes and easy solutions to fill the void within us. We hope to find something that will satisfy our longing without requiring much effort. However, just as our physical bodies need wholesome food to sustain us, our spirits need genuine, deep nourishment to feel fulfilled.

John 6:35 reminds us that Jesus invites us to partake in a spiritual feast that satisfies our deepest hunger. A life nourished by Jesus is a life that is full of purpose and fulfillment. Jesus offers us His teachings, His love, and the promise of eternal life. He provides us the spiritual nourishment that we need and desire. When we embrace Him as our Bread of Life, we no longer seek the world to satisfy our hunger.

In our fast-paced world, the allure of quick fixes can be strong. But just as quick snacks can’t satisfy our physical hunger for long, superficial worldly solutions can’t fulfill our spiritual longing. True nourishment requires time, effort, and dedication. By investing in our relationship with Jesus, we can find the lasting fulfillment and peace that we seek.

So, as you stand in front of your refrigerator or pantry, pondering what you are physically hungry for, pause and consider your spiritual hunger. Many times, when we are searching for food, it is not out of hunger but out of boredom. If that is your case, grab your Bible and let God’s word provide you the sustenance that you need.