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Let's talk about spiritual “eating” habits in light of physical eating habits. What kind of eater are you?

I've heard people say they occasionally forget to eat as they get preoccupied with the tasks at hand. (Crazy people! I've NEVER forgotten to eat.) Our bodies are created to need food to run at top performance, but some people are so consumed by what's going on around them, they forget to fuel up. They place a higher value on their to-do list rather than eating.

We're similar to that when spending time with God isn't a priority - we're too busy. Many of us have filled our lives so full we've squeezed God right out of the picture. We find ourselves empty, not having anything to draw on or give to anyone else. We're discouraged, stressed, negative, worldly-minded with waning hope. We don't recognize these inner “growlings” as a hunger cry for Jesus.

I like to munch on buttery popcorn while writing these articles. I'll set a bowl of it by me, and the next thing I know it's gone. Where did it go? I don't hardly remember tasting it, as my mind wasn't completely focused on it. Likewise, if we read our Bible and an hour later we can't remember what we read, we were mindlessly “eating,” distracted by other things or thoughts. We need to be aware of what we're reading, so we get more out of it. Can you remember what your last “meal” was?

Speaking of popcorn, are you a snacker? In regard to the spiritual, we're

“snacking” when we just grab a verse or small devotional here and there. It might keep us going as we're getting God's Word in, but it's hard to grow all that brute strength and girth when we're only eating a granola bar or fruit snack every once in a while. We may not be able to sit down daily for a three-course meal, but we do need to find time to read a larger chunk of Scripture during the week. It's then when we get a better idea of context, background, and audience, grasping its fuller meaning. If we want to grow all big and tall, we need to be eating well-balanced meals.

That being said, there was a point in my life when I was studying the Bible with regularity, and yet I felt like I was “dieting.” I realized that my quiet time was so regimented and controlled, I was forgetting to enjoy it. When we treat our time with God rigidly and measured, it can almost feel like that burdensome chore of counting calories - we're focusing on getting information while disregarding the intimacy and joy of the relationship. Yes, our time of “nourishment” needs to be as regular as we can manage, but it needs to be done while remembering God's desire to connect with us and grow us in Christ.

In my late teens I waded into anorexia for a time. There was a temporary payoff as I liked the way I looked outwardly, but as time progressed it began wreaking havoc on my body systems. Fortunately, I REALLY hate throwing up, so I never got into bulimia. In my early twenties, the pendulum swung, and I experienced a season of binging and depression. By my mid-twenties, God had done a work in my life, giving me a much healthier relationship with Him and with food.

Spiritual anorexia may occur when we avoid immersing ourselves in God's Word for any number of reasons. Maybe people will think we're “Jesus freaks” or talk about God too much. Thus, we starve ourselves to maintain an “image.” Or as in bulimia, we don't let God's Word settle deep down where it can affect us. Maybe we go to church, giving the appearance that we're eating, but as soon as we walk out the door, we replace God's Truth with worldly thinking - we throw it up. As far as binging, well, we may be full of God's Word, but we don't use it in a way that leads to a healthy Christian life. We may become legalistic, pompous, or harsh - a modern day Pharisee, all puffed up.

I've been all of these “eaters” at one time or another, many concurrently. So it's good to do a self-check occasionally. Ask: Am I regularly eating? Am I eating enough and being mindful of what I'm taking in? Am I remembering I've been created to be in relationship with God - to find fullness, flavor, and joy in Him?

In John 6:48 (Amplified) Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life [the Living Bread which gives and sustains life].”

Like physical food to our bodies, Jesus sustains us. He's the only one who can satisfy our inner hunger and help our internal “systems” run in the best way possible. With the Holy Spirit's help, we can become “foodies,” loving Jesus and directing our thoughts and appetites toward Him. He'll help us to be more mindful of what we eat and guide it down deep into our bowels where the nutrients can be absorbed. (I just noticed “bowels” is kinda a fun word to say. Bowels. Sorry,...but you totally said it, didn't you?) We're not going to eat perfectly every day, but may God help us to develop healthy “eating patterns” so we can know Him, grow in Christ, and be the healthiest believers we can be.