Feeding the Faith

Here we go!  Round two!  Did you take me up on my challenge from last time?  If you are wondering, what challenge go back and read Connection to Creation.  Don’t worry.  It’s not long. I wouldn’t want to read something too long, so I won’t make you either.

From the last blog, we made the connection between God’s creation and His people (that’s us).  I really do hope you took some time to think about the food you were eating and how fantastic our Lord is for creating all the intricacies that make it delicious. As I write, we just had one of the coldest storms we have had in Texas.  I am longingly thinking about those perfectly ripe heirloom spring tomatoes.  Mmm, so perfectly sweet with a touch of acidity.  Oh…Back to where I was going.  

 It is through the consistent connection and consumption of the Word that we can “grow healthy” in our relationship with Him.

The beautiful part about the relationship God set up between us and food is that it demonstrates how our relationship with Him is to look.  It should be part of our daily lives, something inevitable, something we long for when it has been too long.  God did not intend our relationship to be saved for a once a week helping of the Word or worship.  Just like food we need God consistently.  I doubt your calendar reads: Monday – ballet lessons, Tuesday – Cycle Class, Wednesday – eat; Thursday -etc.  you get the idea.   It is through the consistent connection and consumption of the Word that we can “grow healthy” in our relationship with Him.  When this isn’t happening, we feel it, or at least I do.  It’s not easy to admit, but community seems too much trouble, personal time seems empty, and the purpose of all the day’s activities seems to be for not.  The flavor is gone.  I am left wanting for a really good “bite.”

One thing to remember is not all food is created equal.  Eating sweets that look like fruit don’t give you the same nutrition and processing food more doesn’t always make it better.  Just imagine hearing a fitness coach, nutritionist, or even your crazy health-conscious aunt say, “Man the world needs more processed food – Bring on the Pop Tarts and Fruit Snacks”.  Not everything we put in our mouths has to be the iconic realization of a single ingredient as our interaction and interpretation of ingredients helps builds our understanding, but nothing really beats a perfect fruit or veggie fresh from the garden.

We need to make sure what we feed ourselves is good and true if we want to be spiritually healthy.

The same applies to us as followers of Christ.  We need to make sure what we feed ourselves is good and true if we want to be spiritually healthy.  The Word itself is always a good place to start.  Like going straight to the farm or garden, the Bible is the perfect spot to find the pure ingredients for a healthy spiritual diet.  Even better, we have access to the farmer and assistants as we pray for understanding and learn alongside other believers.  What an opportunity for great food and community to share it!