J.E. Solinski
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Books
  • About
  • Contact
  • Resources
  • My Favs!

Starvation . . .

10/12/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
We all know hunger. It begins with that little pang and, if not fed, immediately grows into full-blown embarrassing rumblings. Some of us satiate our hunger immediately, while others of us wait—by choice or by necessity.

When not enough food is available for an extended period of time, a person will begin to starve. And without the person realizing what’s happening, the body starts feeding on itself, consuming its own energy stores to supply the basic energy needs. When it does this, it now cannot supply the necessary nutrients to the vital organs and tissues and they begin to shrink and shut down. Kidneys are impaired and the immune system gets weaker. The protein in the muscles is then tapped, and at that point death is not far off. Sometimes those who are starving are closer to death than they realize.

Recently, I found myself in the beginning stages of sort of spiritual starvation, and I didn’t even know it. Because of circumstances beyond my control, I had not been able to go to church in almost four months.

Yes, I was still able to read my Bible and complete my devotions, and many of the people I spent time with were fellow believers, and we would recognize God’s protection and thank Him for his care. But I had not been able to worship in a corporate setting, and without my knowing it, I had started relying on and consuming my own spiritual “energy sources.” Not until I finally stepped into a church did I realize what I had been missing and needing.

The church service  I was finally able to attend was not of the same denomination as mine. It was not the same size nor did it have the same mix of age groups that my church had. I didn’t know any of the songs nor was I familiar with the order of service. But none of that mattered.

God’s word was the same, and it was preached from the pulpit. God’s spirit was present, and it enveloped me in comfort. God’s people were there, saved sinners praising God for His guidance, protection, and blessings.

Just sitting in a pew or a chair and listening to a sermon does not in and of itself provide any spiritual nutrition. One must be hungry and desire spiritual nourishment. Just going to church does not save a person from eternal damnation. That comes only through personally surrendering one’s life to Christ.

But worshiping with fellow believers does provide nutrients for the soul. It allows us to stop, take stock, support each other, and reset. It provides a safe place for sinners to be transformed by God’s grace into saints. It is God’s family.

I think Michael Cochran of Cochran & CO. says it best in his song “Church (Take Me Back). Enjoy.



1 Comment
Linda C
10/12/2019 04:52:12 pm

Well said, Jody

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Jody Eileen Solinski spent her career teaching in the California public school system where she enjoyed helping young adults take their place in society. A native Californian, she enjoys the outdoors and so loves living in Northern California where she can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation up close.

    Picture
    Subscribe

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All
    Anger
    Appreciation
    Attitude
    Belief
    Calm
    Change
    Christmas
    Conflict
    Consistency
    Coronavirus
    Costs
    Demands
    Disappointment
    End Times
    Fatigue
    Fear
    Fires
    Forgiveness
    God's Protection
    God's Sovereignty
    God's Timing
    Healing
    Hopes
    Ingenuity
    Isolation
    Jesus
    Love
    Memories
    Mornings
    New Years
    Opportunities
    Pain
    Peace
    Perfection
    Perseverance
    Perspective
    Prayer
    Purpose
    Readiness
    Reading
    Refreshed
    Renewed
    Reset
    Rest
    Self-Centeredness
    Sin
    Spiritual Diet
    Summer
    Temptation
    Trust
    Weaknesses
    Worry
    Writing
    Youth

J.E. Solinski ©2015