There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a golden loaf of sourdough from the oven, the smell filling your home, and knowing it’s the fruit of patience and care. But the real joy? It’s in sharing that bread with others while finding balance in the act of service. Just like sourdough, ministry requires dedication, time, and a heart open to growth—but it also reminds us of the importance of rest and renewal in our journey of faith.
How Sharing Sourdough Strengthens Your Faith Journey
One of the things I love to do as a pastor’s wife is to share my sourdough with those in our church. When I first began sharing, it was to celebrate anniversaries of couples in our congregation. I started with sourdough bread. I was still in the beginning stages of my journey, but I knew how beneficial sourdough was to the gut, and I hoped that my love for sourdough would inspire others.
With my trusty bread machine, I would prepare the dough the day before, let it do its magic, and bake it right before bed. This ensured the bread was cooled and ready to wrap before heading to church the next morning. Since then, others in our church have started their own sourdough journeys, but I still ask what they’d like me to bake for their anniversaries. Requests range from cinnamon rolls (regular and pumpkin) to chocolate chip cookies, and of course, the classic sourdough bread. I’m so thankful for this gift God has given me, and I want to ensure I share its benefits with others.
The Spiritual Lessons of Sourdough
In many ways, sourdough mirrors our faith journey. It starts with just a bit of starter—a humble mixture of flour and water. As we nurture it, it grows, strengthens, and becomes something capable of feeding not just ourselves but others. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Starting a sourdough journey requires a bit of faith. It takes time to create a starter from scratch, and it takes time to bake a loaf of bread. It requires effort and patience—just like our walk with God.
Jesus, the Sourdough Bread of Life
When I share sourdough, it often sparks conversations. “How do you keep it alive?” “Doesn’t it take a lot of work?” These are great questions, not just about sourdough but about faith, too. Like our relationship with God, sourdough thrives with attention and intention. It reminds us that growth takes time and effort, but the results are worth it.
John 6:35 says, “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” Just as bread sustains our physical bodies, Jesus sustains our souls. This simple act of sharing bread can open doors to deeper conversations. It’s an opportunity to share how faith sustains us, much like bread sustains the body. Through sharing, we connect—soul to soul.
Balancing Service and Rest
I love the look on people’s faces when I hand them one of my sourdough goodies. There’s something about how food speaks to the soul. It’s a tangible expression of love and care. With sourdough, they know you’ve taken time out of your busy schedule to create something especially for them. It isn’t something thrown together. You’ve put your heart and effort into it.
But as much as I love baking and sharing, I’ve also learned an important lesson: finding balance in service. Ministry can often feel like sourdough—it requires dedication, time, and care. But just as sourdough needs rest to rise, we also need rest to be effective in our service. Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Sharing Faith Through Small Acts – Including Sourdough
Serving others is a beautiful calling, but we must not pour out so much of ourselves that we forget to replenish our own spirits. Taking time to rest and reconnect with God enables us to serve with a joyful heart rather than out of obligation or exhaustion. When we find balance, our ministry becomes a reflection of God’s grace and provision.
There’s a little boy in our church who absolutely loves my sourdough chocolate chip cookies. Whenever I make them, I set aside five just for him. I’ve learned to give them to his mom before church, as he’s still little and can’t resist eating them right away. Moments like these remind me of how small acts of kindness can bring so much joy.
Let’s Break Sourdough Together
So here’s my encouragement to you: take this metaphor and run with it. Grow your own sourdough starter, watch it flourish, and share the bread it creates with those around you. Use it as a way to spark joy and meaningful moments, pointing to the One who provides for our every need.
Let’s take this ministry of sharing one step further. Whether it’s baking bread, sharing a meal, or simply offering words of encouragement, we can reflect God’s love. Acts 2:46 tells us, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” Let’s strive to embody that spirit of generosity and fellowship in our daily lives.
Jesus, the Bread of Life, calls us to share not only physical sustenance but also the hope and love that only He can provide. Let’s break bread together and share the taste of faith while remembering to find balance in our service. Just as sourdough needs time to rise, we too must take time to rest, so we can continue to serve with joy and purpose.
Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!
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