Sourdough and a Healthy Spiritual Life
- Feb 13
- 3 min read
Updated: May 7
The last few weeks I’ve been working on the art of making sourdough starter at home. It’s
one of the reasons we’re having sourdough pizza for lunch today. Initially I wanted to find a
cost-effective way to get the most nutrition out of wheat, but I was afraid to try it, imagining
it would be too difficult and time consuming to produce. Has anyone else tried making
sourdough at home? If so, how did it go?
At first I did some studying of the process, and saw many different measurements used,
rules outlined, special tools listed as a prerequisite, and I got discouraged. But as I read
more, I found that there were many ways to make it, and that there were actually only a few
key requirements: flour, unchlorinated water, and time. I began to think about how we
complicate a healthy relationship with God in a similar manner. We can do a lot of
research on many ways to follow God, but the most basic requirements are wanting to
have a relationship with him, taking in living water (Holy Spirit, divine grace, and the eternal
life-giving spiritual nourishment offered by Jesus Christ) and time. Just as the natural yeast
in the air can flourish in a welcoming environment, so too can the Holy Spirit do miraculous
things with us if we too are providing it with what it needs. What do you think the Holy Spirit
needs to thrive in us?
Last Sunday’s sermon at our church did a great job of describing empowerment through
the Holy Spirit, and I encourage everyone to have a listen at
The most basic description of a place where the Holy Spirit will overflow in a person’s heart
is a life that has been dedicated to inviting it in, every day, and using the gifts that come to
bless those around us. Just like developing a sourdough starter, it needs to be tended to
each day and is meant to be used to nourish us every day. It is possible to put it in the
fridge to store for the future, but during that time it sleeps, no growth happens. In fact, it
actually shrinks down. Has anyone ever felt like their spiritual life has been put into cold
storage, fast asleep, waiting to be woken up?
When I was bedridden for almost 2 months and was unable to be of service to anyone, I felt
like my spiritual life was going dormant. But the truth was all I needed to do was open my
heart up to the Spirit and ask him to fill me and show me how I could use his power. It was
so simple: I asked, and he filled me and led me in prayer for all those I knew of who were
suffering. He led others to me to share their problems, so I could offer sincere listening to
those seeking emotional support. And He lifted me in song, so i could sing of God’s glory in
every circumstance. It is so wonderful that we need do so little to have God fill us.
Luke 13: 20-21 “He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a
woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of
flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
May the comfort, strength and purpose of God’s kingdom fill us, as we offer our hearts and
lives to reflect his glory.
Holy Spirit
There is nothing worth more
That will ever come close
No thing can compare
You're our living hope
Your presence, Lord
I've tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of love
When my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord
Chorus:
Holy spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord
There is nothing worth more
That will ever come close
No thing can compare
You're our living hope
Your presence, Lord
I've tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of Love
When my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord
Chorus
Bridge: (X3)
Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness
Chorus
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