Food for thought
He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. Romans 14:6
Eating and drinking are not only for sustaining our physical bodies, but also have spiritual significance and should be enjoyed as a spiritual reality. We eat and drink for God's glory. Psalm 104:15 says “wine that makes the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens man’s heart.” God’s gift of food is good.
However, gluttony distorts God's design for people to enjoy God. Gluttony disconnects eating and drinking from a vertical relationship with God. Gluttony refers to overindulging in food and drink, like food becoming an idol. "Their god is their stomach" (Phillipians 3:19) Thus, there is so much emotional eating, people seek comfort food, but it is a counterfeit for true satisfaction, gluttony leaves our stomach bloated but makes our souls even more empty. Our relationship with food somehow distracts and even separates us from experiencing the presence of God.
In his book "A Hunger for God," John Piper explains why God created both hunger and food? Because God creates the rhythm of hunger, thirst, and satisfaction, so that we can understand why Jesus is the bread of life and we never thirst when we believe in Him. In this sense, the need for food and water in our daily lives is a shadow of our spiritual hunger, which Christ can only satisfy.
The physical need for food reflects the soul's hunger for God's fullness. It is the more we fill our stomachs, the more we starve our souls. As a result, gluttony wants us to live on bread alone and never recognize our hunger for God. Yet the spiritual stomach constantly growls, and how can it be filled? Jesus says “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Food is good, but God is better. By fasting, we can silence the voice of gluttony and shape our spiritual appetite. As a result, we gain self-control and deepen our reliance on God's righteousness, which allows us to be filled and focus on the true bread of life. Enjoy your daily bread and feast on God's word. Develop an appetite for divine wisdom while enjoying our food with thanksgiving and reverence.
Blessing prayer: Whatever we eat or drink, we do it for God's glory. Your goodness is reflected in every meal. May God's righteousness fill us up. In Jesus’ name, Amen
