Eat to the Glory of God

This is a subject that I humbly and openly admit that I struggle in. Since I was a child I've had a funny relationship with chips and dip - my favorite - yet my most hated food! I love them so much I hate them because I literally cannot stop once I start eating them - therefore - you will NEVER find chips and dip in my home unless we have company coming. I have a few other foods I feel this way about also. I know they are unhealthy for me - but my cravings always seem to be stronger than my self-control!

I Corinthians 10:31 says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Even our eating habits are to glorify God. God gave us food as a gift to enjoy - but we also need to see that food is for energy - it is fuel for the body that enables us to accomplish the tasks God has for us. If we are tired and sluggish we need to evaluate what is it that we are eating? Elizabeth George has noted "The best exercise is to exercise discretion at the dining table."

Elizabeth Elliot said of Daniel "Discipline is evident on every page of the life of Daniel...The first thing that sets Daniel apart is a decision regarding food...It was the beginning of the Lord's preparation of a man whose spiritual fiber would be rigorously tested later on." Daniel was a man who paid attention to what went into his mouth and how it affected him.

And we learn from Jonathon - that we MUST eat. In I Samuel 14, Saul sent his men into battle and told them not to eat until they had finished the battle - the entire army was faint. Jonathon did not know of Saul's order and he dipped his finger in honey and ate and the Bible says "his countenance was brightened" and Jonathon says of the fainting army "How much better if the people had eaten freely today". God wants us to fuel our body with food!

So we need food - yet we need to use discretion as we "eat to the glory of God." Since I am not the best role model - I'd like to point my finger to a person who has helped me on the road to better health - my good friend Clare. She is a certified fitness instructor and she uses her passion to help women in our church by leading aerobics classes, one-on-one instruction, answering email questions and posting workout plans at http://www.womenlivingwell.org/. Recently she journaled her eating so others could see what a regular mom and fitness instructor eats. Go here to see an example of her choices. You will not find the perfect plan for you - but you will see a woman of moderation - a woman who thinks through her bites each day. Remember as you thank God for your food - to eat to the glory of God!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/