November 25, 2009
I was on a business trip this past year, driving down to a client’s golf course community in Washington State. I was with 3 others who, for whatever reason, were all into very healthy eating. We were driving into a small town around dinner time so I suggested we find a Chinese Food buffet and chow down. The way they looked at me and gasped, it was like I suggested we walk up the alley and go dumpster diving for dinner. How on earth could I even consider the notion of putting that kind of “food” into my body? Well, I love Chinese food, but for the sake of group unity we went somewhere more “healthy”. For the record though, it didn’t taste as good as well stocked Chinese Food buffet would.
I have realized that I eat for flavour, not for fuel. I eat food that tastes good and makes me feel good while I’m eating, but it doesn’t necessarily fuel my body well. I am seeing the impact of not fueling my body well – more fat, more fatigue, less able to keep up with my sons. You know what I mean. I’m reaping what I’m eating. It’s obviously critically important what we feed our bodies – especially in middle age. And now the Lord is challenging me about my spiritual diet. What am I feeding myself spiritually?
We all know that if we live on a diet of junk food we’ll not have the strength and energy that we could have, and we’ll die prematurely. The same is true for us spiritually. If we don’t ensure we’re living on a balanced spiritual diet we’ll not have the strength and energy we could have. If we’re not feeding on Truth, but swallowing the junk food that the enemy feeds us, then we will not be filled with life. If you’re wondering why you don’t have more faith, strength, hope, life, freedom, peace, joy, etc – examine what you’re eating. I believe that a balanced spiritual diet is comprised of Truth and made up of regular portions of prayer, study of scripture, fellowship, solitude, silence, rest, service, giving, praise/worship, fasting, thanksgiving, remembrance and celebration. If we don’t have regular portions of each of these in our lives we’re going to be missing the vital “nutrients” we need to be spiritually healthy -to thrive.
If you’re looking for more life – look at what you’re eating. You are what you eat.
I Timothy 4:7-8
“…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Strength and courage,
David MacLean