Death by starvation is slow.
There are many forms of starvation none of which are pleasant. For anyone who has witnessed starvation of anything in this world, animal, vegetable or human, the memory of it is near impossible to erase. The Lord said to feed his sheep. ((Jn 21:15–17) He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.") The first two times (bosko) referred to physical feeding of the flock. The third time (“shepherd,” poimaino) referred to the spiritual feeding of the flock. The physical feeding of the flock is important for the physical health of the individual. It is the lack of food that causes the depravity we experience in a starved entity. Plants wither, animals and people grow weak and the skeleton become visually pronounced. These are easy to recognize and remedy compared to spiritual depravity. Consider what it is like to be deprived of food for the body. The pain of starvation can be severe enough to influence behaviors not normal for anyone. The need to feed the hunger can be overwhelming. Theft and even harming others to get what the body needs to survive.
Now consider what starvation of spirituality is like. There are few if any outward signs of spiritual depravity. The signs are there but few of us are able to see the underlying pain and emptiness or hunger. It is hard to imagine someone who is deprived of the word of God in the world but the reality is that there are many souls living in a vacuum devoid of the knowledge Christ or the graces of God's spirit. When someone is in such a state it is hard for them to acknowledge the possibility of what God and Christ are offering. It is like living in total darkness and suddenly light illuminates everything. Things never known to exist are visible, touchable, accessible. It is much the same as physical hunger yet different. It was not visible to the outside world but very much felt in the heart and soul of the person experiencing it. We are the light of this world, called and commissioned to be the example to others that the promise of Christ's forgiveness of sins through God's grace is real. We are to be the image of God on this earth. If you become the visible light for others, If you spark the spirit to see the light of grace outside the vacuum, a soul will be given hope where there was none. It may not be known to you but the life given to the hopeless is of no small consequence. Christ said "feed my children." It is as relevant today as it was back then.
May the good Lord bless and keep you safe.
Remember to "Always Love The details."
