Don't gasp or fall over, it really is a current post from me :-). I'm actually home and at the computer at a time convenient to post so I thought I'd put something up today. We will be talking about this at joy tomorrow night but I decided to post it one day early.
In the past few weeks we've been talking about eating fruits and vegetables. We talked about how awesome and wonderful it is to know that there is a God who cared so much for us that he gave each food a specific purpose to our bodies (I will post an interesting email I received on this subject at the end of this post or sometime tomorrow). God is not slack in His care for his children just as we are not slack in caring for our own families. He has given us a bounty of healthy and delicious foods that are not only beautiful to look at but beautiful in the way they work to take care of our bodies. It is amazing to think that something as small as a carrot is full of vitamins and minerals specifically designed for our needs and by eating that carrot we are trusting it to do it's job inside our bodies.
We all have faith in God and we know the right things to do without anyone ever telling us so, but to act on that faith is called trust. You can have the faith and knowledge that something is right for you and that God knows exactly what you need but if you never step out in faith then you are not fully trusting in God. You are not giving the battle over to Him. When we eat the foods God designed specifically for our every need you are telling God, yes, I do trust you! If we continue on the same road we've always been on (i.e. eating unhealthy and unnatural foods) then we will get the same result we've always gotten - unhealthy bodies. God said "here's what I've designed for you to eat, this will make you healthy and give you strength" but instead of trusting that we turn to ourselves and say "no I think this is what I want" and then we are surprised when the end result is not how we expect it to be. It is always a matter of seeking the desires of our own flesh, putting trust in ourselves instead of in God. The bible says to "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Seek God first and be amazed when you receive, in faith, the things you've been seeking all along - including a healthy body! The first step is a step of faith. You have to step out on that limb and say ok God, direct my path, I trust you, and no matter how much my attention is swayed to the left or right, I'm still going to trust you. Did you know that there is an actual diet plan laid out in the bible? It's in the book of Daniel. It is a wonderful story of trust:
Daniel 1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
So for 10 days Daniel ate nothing but pulse, which is a mixture of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and water - foods all created by God's own hands. You see Daniel had to not only trust in God himself but he had to trust in God's creation to help bring him in safety from his situation. Daniel trusted so much in God's plan that he risked his own life to prove that God's ways are better. In the end, for his trust and obedience, he was rewarded with good health, wisdom and knowledge and the respect of the King. When we trust God there is nothing but good to be gained. God does not lead us to harm but rather to the safety of His arms. The process getting there may be a tough long road but the end result is worth every step of the way.
Ruth 2:12
The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
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