While preparing for kids’ club one Saturday morning at the church building we found a hummingbird clinging to a curtain, so weak it could barely move. Dan gently gathered it up in his hat and we took it home where we tilted its tiny head onto a plate of sugar water. Very gradually it began to take sips of the 
nourishing liquid. We could see its strength slowly returning as it ate, and eventually it was able to fly to a nearby tree. It sat there for a long time but we were delighted and relieved to see it fly back and forth from the feeder later. We saw it taking frequent drinks throughout that day and still recognize it coming back for more a whole month later.
Obviously it was weakened — almost to death — by lack of food. We know the same thing would happen to us if we stopped eating altogether and spend considerable money and effort keeping ourselves fed. But what about spiritual food? Do you nourish yourself regularly from God’s Word to keep your soul strong and healthy? Jesus said, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Mat. 4:4)
We tell Paraguayans that our occasional big gatherings with believers from town and rural villages are like barbecues — their delicious, meaty meal for special occasions. Weekly church services are like “guiso” — their basic, standard, everyday food. And their own times with God are like manioc — the starchy root that accompanies every meal. We wouldn’t be very well fed if we rely on special services at church — or even just weekly sermons — to sustain us spiritually. May your individual times in God’s Word and your corporate times of worship & study with His people be delicious, wholesome, strengthening nourishment!
