Is Your Soul Running on Spiritual Fumes? It Might Be Craving Reverence

By Chakell Wardleigh Herbert

Church Magazines

My soul has felt empty lately, and I recognized its longing for reverence and holiness.

an illustrated figure sitting cross-legged and meditating by a lake

During a recent temple endowment session, my mind wandered.

Though I was trying to focus on the beautiful ordinances and the peace in the Lord’s house, my thoughts drifted to my never-ending to-do list: homework, calling responsibilities, work, relationships, and everything else occupying my small corner of the world.

To be honest, I felt impatient throughout the session—wishing it would move faster so I could get back to my other responsibilities. I sometimes feel this urgency in other spiritual settings too, which leads me to skim through my scriptures or rush through prayers just to collapse into bed at the end of the day.

Lately, the natural woman in me has been missing one of the main purposes of setting aside time to worship in the temple, serve, or listen to the Spirit: to foster reverence and holiness in my life.

Without nourishing my spirit with high-quality reverence, my soul has been running on spiritual fumes. Luckily, a message from Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles called me out in the best way.

Finding What the Soul Wants

As I have really tried to peel back the layers and ponder what my soul truly craves, I’ve realized it’s not rushing back to my responsibilities—instead, my soul wants deeper, richer, and more meaningful connection with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Despite my efforts to break free from worldly distractions to make more time for spiritual connection, I still catch myself being sucked into the Instagram black hole.

Why is it so hard to focus on spiritual things that fill my cup yet so easy to get sucked into the world that drains it?

When Elder Soares spoke during general conference, I felt seen when he said, “Reverence is not just an aspect of spirituality; it is the essence of it—the foundation upon which spirituality is built, creating a personal connection to the divine.”

I realized that stillness is important, but giving my full attention to sacred things is where true reverence, holiness, and divine connection lies.

That’s what my soul wants—what all our souls want.

Connecting with the Divine

Elder Soares’s message reminded me that the adversary’s greatest tool in my life is making spiritual practices that connect me to heaven seem time-consuming and less fulfilling than worldly conveniences, keeping me disconnected and distracted.

But now I’m determined to say, “Not today, Satan.”

Since general conference, I’ve prayed for help to change my habits and mindset toward spiritual things, and the Spirit has assured me that Heavenly Father knows my heart and will help me keep striving. The messages from our leaders have renewed my motivation to give my full attention and reverence to spiritual ordinances, environments, and habits that foster deeper connection with the divine.

As Elder Soares taught: “As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are invited to cultivate the gift of reverence in our lives in order to open ourselves to a deeper communion with God and His Son, Jesus Christ, simultaneously strengthening our spiritual character. … We must remember that showing reverence for sacred things gives meaning to much of what we do every day and strengthens our feeling of gratitude—inspiring awe, respect, and love for higher and holier things.”

Who wouldn’t want to make more room for those beautiful blessings?

Striving for Reverence

Right now, to disengage with the irreverence of the world, I’m starting small!

I’m limiting phone time by keeping it out of sight and out of mind. Sometimes I leave it in another room so when I’m praying, reading scriptures, or going on a walk, I can bask in stillness and turn my heart toward heaven.
During the sacrament, I’m striving to connect with my Savior and stay disconnected from the outside world.
I’m also becoming more mindful of the media and habits that drain my spirit. After all, Elder Soares also taught, “Irreverence toward sacred things furthers the adversary’s aims by disrupting our sensitive channels of revelation, which are crucial for our spiritual survival in our day.”
When I worship in the temple, I’m striving to use that sacred time to reconnect and ponder the ordinances that point me to the Savior in new ways.

I’m so far from perfect, but I know Heavenly Father is inviting me to slow down, look up, and focus on heaven rather than the world. Every time I do, I feel like my soul lets out a long breath and is brought to life again.

I hope you can give your soul the reverence it desperately needs too.