(Psalms 42:1) As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God.

We each experience our soul deep within our beings, and know intuitively that the soul has to do with genuineness and depth. But this experience is often elusive to describe. Our souls connect with the souls of others when we experience the same understandings and meanings about life. This often happens in the expression of music, art, love, or worship—when there is an inner communication and comprehension which surpasses mere language. When you experience it, you know it's truth. Through this deeper connection we become "soul mates."

When we don't experience fulfillment of the soul, we will go searching for whatever satisfies its unquenchable thirst. What we satisfy this thirst with will determine what fills our souls. We usually experience our soul's longing as emptiness, meaninglessness, disillusionment or a lack of personal fulfillment. These are powerful forces which will not be denied. They form the basis of the mid-life crisis.

Too often we seek to meet our soul's deep need with accomplishments or acquisitions. And if we fail to achieve or acquire we mask the soul's longing with numbing medications or artificial stimulation. Such is a never-ending process that always falls short of soul satisfaction. Rather than this empty approach, we need to feed our souls with meaning, purpose, depth, values, genuine friendships and ultimately with God.

We must learn to cultivate that which satisfies the soul, to nourish it with quality food. We must slow our lives and recapture the simple pleasures which enrich life. Let the smell of bread, fresh cut wood or delicate wild flowers begin to fill your soul. Maybe that is why God "breathed" into us His spirit, so our soul would awaken.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind (soul) dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8.

—Dick Tibbits