As a discipline, as we look deeper – past the surface level feeling and into the deepest part of our need. That’s when we find true renewal. That’s when we will turn to the true bread. To the true light. To the true way. to the true vine. When you start to feel any of those things, don’t just take a nap. Look deeper. Don’t be afraid to come to the end of your rope because when you do, you’ll find the true source of renewal waiting there.

In a sense, our lives are a constant rhythm of depletion and renewal. This rhythm happens over and over again, several times a day.

We deplete our reserves of calories and so we feel hungry. We are renewed when we eat. And then we do it again.

We deplete our reserves of energy and so we feel tired. We are renewed when we sleep. And then we do it again.

We deplete our reserves of hydration and so we feel thirsty. We are renewed when we drink. And then we do it again.

These rhythms are so natural to us, so often repeated, that we don’t even think about them any more. We simply respond when we sense the depletion and then experience the renewal. When it comes to our souls, though, the process is less natural. It takes more conscious thought and intentional choice. And the reason why it does is because of our propensity to try and deal with the depletion we are experiencing using lesser means of renewal.

Imagine, for a moment, that you are in that daily rhythm. You have been working all morning, busy with meetings, agenda items, and to-do lists. You have been concentrating hard, and that concentration is interrupted by an embarrassingly loud grumble from your belly. You clearly have depleted your reserves and are in need of renewal. But instead of eating a sandwich, you lay down in the floor and try to take a nap.

Weird to think about, but in a similar way this is what we do all the time in a spiritual sense.

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