by Angela May
These past few months I have been preoccupied with health concerns; both, my daughter’s and mine. While our medical issues, and the ailments requiring treatment are different; we both discovered from blood tests that we have specific nutritional deficits. Fortunately, we were able to access vitamin supplements, that we now take daily. While we may have averted a further health crisis - for now, I am conscious that we haven’t addressed the underlying health and lifestyle issues that led to this. I am on a quest to understand what we eat and what must we change in our diet to holistically improve our nutritional intake. Perhaps, this is also a good time to inspect and reassess my spiritual health and habits too?
Jesus asked Peter three times to “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17) I wonder if Peter ever questioned Jesus what was on the menu? Afterall, Peter was a fisherman, not a shepherd. How did he know where to find the best spiritual food for those Jesus asked him to shepherd? Did he look at the nearby hills and wonder which streams and fields were best suited for the sheep? Or did the sheep just know what they needed? I suspect it wasn’t the latter, as why else does Jesus insist that sheep need shepherding?
How about you? Where do you get your spiritual food? What is your usual diet? Are you receiving sufficient nutrition? Often times our lack of energy and vitality can be linked directly to diet; physical and spiritual! Even worse, without adequate nutrition, our health may decline to a point of developing a significant ailment or disease. Our feeding patterns are important. I’m a firm believer that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
We live in an age where we are often spoilt for choice. We have a smorgasbord of physical and spiritual foods we can partake in. Spiritually, we can choose from Sunday sermons, to recorded messages, theological studies to bible studies, devotional materials, podcasts, blogs and even streamed Christian media. Want to read the Bible? Not only are there many versions, but you don’t even have to own a book. Why not download your version of choice on an app? How do you know what is right or not for your needs?
Jesus is clear, He is enough spiritually. He declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:25) Of course, the bread in Jesus’ day was nothing like the fluffy, white, nutrition-less bread we are often served today. The bread of Jesus’ time was both a staple and nutritious. Jesus used this metaphor intentionally, because this linked back to the manna the people received directly from God, each day, while in the wilderness. Manna wasn’t exactly bread as we know it, but it was a carbohydrate substance, that was sufficient in quantity and quality for each day. For forty years, the Israelites ate manna daily, until they entered the promised land; when the manna stopped and they ate from the land of plenty; overflowing with milk and honey. (Exodus 3:17)
God has given us Scriptures to feed on. These are the very words of God himself. The Bible is not to be another book on our shelf, but should be the book of life that we start with. Do you feed on the Scriptures daily? Afterall, it is no coincidence that we say daily bread - the staple and nutritious type, of course! We have daily, physical, nutrition requirements, so why not spiritual?
Do you come to study the Scriptures with an appetite? Or have you already filled up on snacks and fast food? Junk food, oversweet and processed food is occasional food, and should not be the staple. Junk food can ruin our appetite and feed unhealthy cravings. Don’t be amongst those who won’t put up with sound doctrine. We must pursue sound and healthy teachings. (2 Timothy 4: 3-4) Otherwise, before we know it, we are spiritually sick.
What are you eating today?
Angela loves to apply the Word of God to everyday life. She identifies with the challenge women face today as they strive to balance the demands of family, work, and ministry. She is passionate about women's emotional and spiritual health and how they can find that in Jesus.
Angela is on the pastoral team at Gladstone Baptist Church. She is a registered teacher, Bible College trained, and an experienced speaker and presenter. She also blogs. You can follow her on social media or at http://www.angelamay.online
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