Several weeks ago, my son Hudson began conditioning (weight training and exercise) to prepare for fall sports. He is starting to see the importance of a healthy, strong body not just for sports, but in general. He’s also learning about how protein is important in muscle development and how what he eats can fuel the body or starve it. What is becoming apparent is that he has some bad habits to break.
Every afternoon, Hudson comes home from school and makes a b-line for the pantry. He grabs his favorite cereal, a bowl and spoon and sits down at the table to enjoy several servings. Next thing I know, Hudson is back at the pantry looking for chips or other junk food. I remind him, “Hudson don’t fill up on junk food. I am making dinner.” His response is always the same. “Mom, I won’t ruin my dinner! I promise I’ll eat.”
Last night I put a balanced meal in front of him. All the food groups were represented including a nice salad and he looked at it only half-interested. I could see his wheels turning.
I asked him, “Hud, remember what you said? How you would definitely be eating your dinner even if you snacked on cereal and chips?” He reassured me that he planned to eat every bite.
Then he dragged out dinner time for what seemed like eternity, picking at his food. Eventually everyone else had left the table. I was rinsing dishes in the sink. And he just sat there staring at his food.
The truth of the matter is…When it comes time to eat, he’s just not hungry.
When I tell him this, he becomes defensive. He knows he filled up on junk. He knows he’s now biding his time until he can leave the table.
You know what, friend? When it comes to the things of God, sometimes I’m just not hungry. He’s been revealing that to me more and more since I returned from India. There I saw dedicated believers hungry for more of God. Their dedication and desire for Him made mine seem weak and almost insincere. God’s been gently nudging on my heart that I could hunger for Him so much more. And in turn, He can satisfy that hunger completely.
What causes us to lose our appetite for what truly fills us up?
This morning, I read a quote by John Piper that I think nails it on the head.
If we don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. John Piper
Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great.
He’s right. But his message is nothing new. Paul said something similar to the believers (Notice, I said believers.) of the church in Corinth.
Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? 1 Cor 3:1-3
We also see this topic in Hebrews 5: 12-14. Again, addressing “Christ-followers”.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
How can I help Hudson achieve his goal of growing strong and healthy? How can I get him to stop ruining his appetite with junk food? Here’s a no brainer…Just get rid of the junk in the pantry and he won’t eat it.
Hmm.
I need to get rid of the junk in the pantry…for Hudson…for me.
What’s in your pantry?
Another helpful tip for Hudson is to take inventory of what he eats. Many dieticians say keeping a food log is helpful to establishing good habits. I think it’s time I do the same spiritually. Maybe you should too.
What are you taking in daily to satisfy your hunger? Are you just snacking on things that don’t satisfy?
God created us to hunger with the intention of satisfying us with Himself.
Today let’s do inventory of our lives. Perhaps we even need to write it down. Let’s throw out the junk and quit snacking on what leaves us empty. And then let’s ask God to fill us up.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matt 5:6
Be encouraged today friend. Have you been feeling less than satisfied? Well, toss the chips and pull up a chair because dinner is ready.
Arlene Fordham - Good reminder.