WHAT FOOD ARE YOU EATING?
18th Dec 2024
I feel bombarded by “Food” suggestions - what to eat, to buy, to have as a special treat seem to be coming from so many sources, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and inadequate if you have not succumbed to all the tantalising mouthfuls! This set me thinking about spiritual food. Are you feeding yourself or starving as you prepare for Christmas?
I hear so many people talking about stress, pressure, busyness, and it seems we are being encouraged by the world around us to eat, eat, eat, as “life” is eroding our ability to enjoy all we already have! In the natural, if you want to be strong and healthy, you have to maintain a balanced diet and lifestyle. The same principles apply to our spiritual life. So check out what you are feeding on.
Jesus described Himself as the “Bread of Life”, and we need to be in living contact with Him, filled with His Spirit and letting Him set the agenda for each day. His living word is also described in “food terms” and is needed to give us strength. (Jeremiah 15:16)
God’s word has intrinsic value and will build you up simply by reading it. It is compared to milk - 1 Peter 2:2, to honey - Psalm 19:10, to solid food - Hebrews 5:12
Testimony stories will also challenge, encourage and build you up. I usually have a biography on the go. Recently, we have been reading old stories of pioneer missionaries who worked in China and Africa.
Don’t neglect friendship and fellowship. We can support and encourage each other, sharing how God has helped us in the daily challenges. Two words have provoked me recently - Thanksgiving and Hunger. I’m seeking to be actively thankful for all the blessings I can innumerate, but also conscious of the resources of God that as yet I haven’t accessed or used.
Evangelism has been described as, “One beggar telling another beggar where to find bread” and I am more and more aware of the starving world we live in.
When people are approaching death, they stop eating and drinking, they lose their appetite, but can often be revived as they resume feeding.
Our devotional, “Faith Food” for 17th December encourages us to feed ourselves and exercise “love, acceptance and forgiveness” this season of the year.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
