Morning Devotional 040726 Feeding Our Souls

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

April 7, 2026

John 4:4-14

4 Jesus had to go through Samaria. 5 He came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, which was near the land Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there. Jesus was tired from his journey, so he sat down at the well. It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me some water to drink.” 8 His disciples had gone into the city to buy him some food. 9 The Samaritan woman asked, “Why do you, a Jewish man, ask for something to drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (Jews and Samaritans didn’t associate with each other.) 10 Jesus responded, “If you recognized God’s gift and who is saying to you, ‘Give me some water to drink,’ you would be asking him and he would give you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you don’t have a bucket and the well is deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave this well to us, and he drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks from the water that I will give will never be thirsty again. The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.”

Good Morning! Jesus offers us living water!

Where do we get this living water? 

God created our amazing bodies through which we function physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We consume earthly food and water to sustain life functions, but there is so much more to living than that. 

"Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" is the iconic mantra spoken by Mame Dennis in the 1958 film Auntie Mame. Portrayed by Rosalind Russell, Mame urges her timid secretary, Agnes Gooch, to embrace a life of audacity, experience, and joy rather than timidly sitting on the sidelines.

Auntie Mame is speaking not of the basic nourishment that our bodies need, but of feeding our emotional, mental, and spiritual sides. In today’s language, taking time for self-care. Yesterday, I was able to breathe in the sea air and put my toes in the ocean. This is one of those soul-sustaining rituals that resets my spiritual well-being. What good is living an abundant earthly life at the expense of losing our souls?

Jesus calls believers to live a life of abundance, purpose, and joy, often referred to as "life to the full" (John 10:10), which is found through cultivating a relationship with Him, following His teachings, and serving others. This life isn't necessarily free from sorrow, but is defined by deep spiritual peace, loving God and neighbor, and having a purpose that extends beyond selfish ambition. 

God of Wisdom, you bless us abundantly! Nudge us when we fall into periods of spiritual starvation. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: God sets us apart to share love, light, and joy with the world.

Take time to feed your soul!  Pastor Liz