It's Called Balance

Lately, my mind has been taken up with food, as I continue to pursue my weight-loss goals. I have found during this quest that the television ads are not my friends. I cannot venture a guess as to what percentage of them are focused on food, and much of it is junk food, which does very little to nourish our bodies.

Our natural appetites are continually seeking satisfaction, and I believe, sad to say, that all too many in our society seem to live to eat rather than eat to live. We go to a movie after having dinner and immediately buy a bag of popcorn and a drink. Many eat a meal out several times a month or often meet a friend for coffee. Most of us have access to such a wide variety of foods and in such abundance that we have no need to do without anything. Hence, the huge diet industry.

However, the thought suddenly occurred to me one day that while we are so taken up with what has almost become a national pastime, many are sadly neglecting to feed the most important part of their beings, namely their spirit.

The sad part is that they seem to be unaware of this fact, and go about feeding the outer man excessively, while the inner man is in danger of starvation for lack of availing themselves of God's lavish supply of necessary spiritual food. As His children, let us all heed the call to His banquet:

Song of Solomon 2:4 – He brought me to the banqueting house, and his intention toward me was love. (NRSV)

If we spent a fraction of the time supplying our spirits with the necessary food that they need to flourish, that we spend feeding our bodies, what a powerhouse for God we each could be.

Let us heed the words Jesus spoke to the crowd:

John 6:27a – Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. (NIV)

The Lord gives us clear instructions on this matter:

Matthew 6:33 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV)

Everything we need — "all these things" — includes both our material food and our spiritual food.

Prayer: Loving Father, forgive us for too often neglecting what is so necessary for our spiritual growth while we indulge our natural appetites. May our prayer be that of Jesus in His model prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread", which includes spiritual as well as material food, whereby You supply us with all that is necessary to advance Your kingdom here on earth and to prepare us for Your kingdom in heaven. Amen.

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