I guess everyone has issues in life. Things we struggle with.
For some it might be drinking, drugs, pornography, greed or homosexuality. Those are just a few that come to mind.
What about FOOD? Is this talked about in the church? It might be that I've been out of church too long and missed it, but I've never heard this issue talked about (that I remember)in the 18 years that I attended.
Food has always been an issue for me. The spirit is revealing to me how I've let food become my god.
I've heard my mother talk many times about a God created vacuum that we all have. Some try to fill it with a new car, fancy jewelery, sex, drinking, whatever we can find.
There are many ways I've let food become my god. It seems all my life I've been on some diet and no matter how much I lose it's never enough. I've done extreme dieting and exercise to acheive a sense of control, a high from seeing the scale get less each day.
I want to thank God for healing me from that issue!!! Now that I know the truth, I know I can never find joy and happiness in how much I weigh or what I look like! God has made me absolutely perfect all for Him! As a woman living in today's society and having let myself be deceived by the deceiver, I can't tell you how FREEING that is to FINALLY love myself and find myself perfect. When I look at myself through His eyes and His love, I see there's nothing I need to change. He loves me exactly as I am, because He made me so I can worship Him!! I am free in Christ!!!
This concept of freedom in Christ really gets me thinking. So if I'm free in Christ and I'm made perfect in Him then bring on the cookies!!!!!!
NOT SO FAST!!! I feel the spirit wanting me to really understand freedom in Christ.
You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:12
What does this verse mean to me??? It speaks to me, the word is alive and I feel the spirit guiding me, gently teaching me.
How many times have I turned to food to find comfort? How many times have I turned to food when I'm lonely? How many times have I turned to food because I'm sad or bored or even happy?????? Too many times to count. Food has become a god to me. HE wants me to turn to Him when I need comfort. Him when I'm lonely, sad, bored and yes even happy!
It's SO easy just to sweep this command to obedience He is asking of me aside. "Oh it's just food, don't be silly!" Or "I'm not obese, I don't have a problem." or even say to myself "well, we can't drink, we can't do this or that, so we might as well eat." I can't tell you how many times in dealing with my toddler I get stressed and I use eating to calm me. Or in the evenings when I'm bored and eating mindlessly in front of tv instead of worshipping Him or reading His word or paying attention to my husband.
The question is will I obey HIM? Will I give food to Christ? Will I find my true joy in Him? Will I let Him be my comforter. Self control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Will I allow Him to find me and give me this???
My heartfelt prayer; Oh Lord I hunger for you, I want you! I chose you! Help me Lord, help me to turn to YOU always to find what I need in You! You are truely all I need! Help me to never forget that.
2 comments:
Jennifer, what a wonderful post!! You are right on! Yes, in the church, we have many eating meetings. And that's okay, IF we can control ourselves.
Trouble is, church women are some of the best cooks in the world. I don't know why that is. But it's so. We've pastored in several towns, and I've found that to be true over and over. "Try Jane Doe's new corn casserole," someone might say. Or, "Be sure and get a piece of Sister Brown's cake. It's fabulous."
The other night, we were at an eating meeting at church, and someone brought a big bowl of luscious grape salad (a new recipe that really is good) to our table and said as she held out a spoonful, "Here. You've got to try this. I just came across this recipe at so-and-so-event, and it's really good." This, after having just eaten a plateful of fabulous food.
I think we have to be careful and do as you said in your post. We have to be careful at places where there's good food, and, at home when we eat out of boredom or sadness or for a calm.
Young woman, you have a wealth of wisdom!! Keep preaching! We need it.
Love, Mom
Wow, I relate! Thanks for sharing. I love reading your blog and seeing how God is working in your life. :)
A new friend,
Dena Dyer
www.denadyer.com
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