(Each Saturday, a faith leader offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com)
“There is a spiritual hunger in the world today – and it cannot be satisfied by material things alone.”
Adlai Stevenson, the renowned leader, and ambassador to the United Nations, had a deep spirituality, which is to say that he was concerned with the human spirit as opposed to material or physical things.
The quote above is as true today as it was when he first spoke it in 1956 in his 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 people 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.
So, what does fill the emptiness caused by spiritual hunger?
Here are some of the ways I have found that work well. The beauty of nature, with all its flora and fauna, sounds and smells, fills my heart and soul to overflowing at times. Music, religious as well as secular, art, and literature all touch something deep within me that often raises my spirits high. Additionally, connecting with friends and relatives, not simply touching base, but sharing intimate moments filled with laughter, caring and even tears, make my cup run over.
However, the most potent cure for spiritual hunger I have found is my time alone with the Source. This time is what feeds my hunger more than anything else.
Unfortunately, time alone is something society has sacrificed in lieu of the busyness of life. Trying to keep up with emails, Facebook, bills, commitments, all add to our lack of “you and me” time with the Source. Even our attempts at being with the Source on the weekend are invaded by demands to have our minds elsewhere … preparing meals, taxiing family here and there, organizing for the week to come … the list is endless.
If we are careful, however, we can glean a bit of soul food from the most unexpected places. Sometimes spiritual sustenance 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 words that carry us through the day, the week, the year. Often, we find posts on social media that just seem to connect with where we are at a moment in time and lift the gloom that we might have hovering over us. Still at other times, we can find ourselves completely satiated by the smile 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. Small daily doses of “you and me” time with the Source can enable us to wade through the murkiest of moments. When we live in the Source’s presence daily, we come to life satisfied, willing to share the banquet with others.
Mother Teresa said it best. “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
One of the great benefits of connecting daily with the Source is that we see we are all connected – each to the other. When we remember this, we share ourselves and our bounty without hesitation, then become “richer” in the processes. Not by monetary means, but in love, joy, and knowledge that we have helped others as well as ourselves.
Rev. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas is an ordained interfaith minister. She graduated from The New Seminary in New York City. She often fills the pulpit in local Franklin County Churches. She maintains an international, online ministry through Facebook. Rev. Neas can be reached at revlindaneas2013@gmail.com and https://www.facebook.com/revlindaneas/