"Why We Eat"

"Why We Eat"   

    

   Why do we eat?   A careful consideration of this question yields many answers.  I would list some of them, but it might be better if you allow yourself a few moments to ponder at least of a few of the reasons we ingest food.  Moreover, I would like to focus on the first and main motivation that should guide and inform our eating.

    "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).

   To honor our Lord provides the primary reason for eating.  Of course, we don't consciously think about glorifying God with every bite of food.  Nor is it necessary that we do so.  For born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, however, it is incumbent upon us to build an altar within our hearts whereupon we devote ourselves to the glory of God in this most basic function of life.  Our Heavenly Father calls us to realize that eating presents an opportunity for worship.  We can eat in a manner that exalts the Lord Jesus, thus establishing eating as a spiritual matter.  If we walk in the truth of receiving our food as from God, and then gratefully appreciate and enjoy the gift, we can be confident that we thereby honor Him.  

    This constitutes an important Biblical insight in a generation wherein most people are scared of food, guilt ridden about eating, and convinced that the next bite of whatever may be fatal.  I suggest these characteristics as observations rather than suggesting that we should not be thoughtful about eating.  Certainly we do well to eat in whatever manner we have discovered to be most beneficial to our health, well being, and capacity to successfully function in physical terms.  This involves different regimens for different people, and seeking God's wisdom in the matter surely benefits and enhances our lives.  However, the fact remains that we must establish as our primary motivation the blessed truth that we can honor our Lord as we eat.  Acknowledging the gift, giving thanks, and rejoicing in our Father's generosity forms the first and best reason for partaking our food, thereby directing glory to the Giver of "every good gift and every perfect gift" (James 1:17).

"And Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

(John 6:35)

Weekly Memory Verse 

    Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Ephesians 6:23)