To Eat or Not to Eat

Does it seem that the people who go around pleading for "balance" do so because they want to play down some "standard?" Does is seem that some people with a standard suck the life out of every room they enter? What is your philosophy on the things that should fill your life? What is God's philosophy?

In diet, along with so many other areas of life, we are tempted to "go on a diet." There seems to be something virtuous - something Christian about "denying ourselves." Some people pride themselves on abstaining from this or that food choice, or for all the work (and lack of sleep) that they practice. Is it possible that Christians leave a bad taste in the mouth of those around us when we "can't do" this or that?

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  John 10:10

God is not about taking from us. He doesn't want to destroy our joy. He doesn't want us to be about restrictions and certainly not about the "pious" restrictions we may feel tempted to be place on others.

First of all, worry less about what other people are doing. Allow them to stretch and grow into the likeness of Jesus, while quietly shining for him in your own life. When you are noticed for the joy and health that you now exude, gently lead the willing in the right direction.

But don't ever forget these lessons of Christian abundance: Worry less about what you can't - and fill your heart and life with what you should. Same works for eating well, living well, etc. God calls us to live lives of abundance. Fill up your belly with salad and fruit and good bread and you won't have nearly enough room or desire for junk. Fill your mind with the things and people of Jesus, and other stuff will begin to fall off. You stress yourself out because you're looking at you and your failures. Jesus just wants you to "eat" him and you'll forget to look at you - which is very unfulfilling and un-uplifting. Look to him and drink deeply.