Monday, March 8, 2010

Eating With God In Mind

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." -- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I don't think God intended for me to crave Krispy Kreme donuts the way I do. I really love the plain glazed donuts. During these last few weeks helping out at Toyota, I've been faced with my love.

Every morning Calvin brings in two boxes of donuts. One box is glazed and the other is a mixed assortment of gooey-filled concoctions. It is my job to mix the two boxes, so each has half of each.
The wonderful aroma greets me as I open the boxes. It entices my senses. Just one, I promise myself. And that is all I eat. Anything more would be gluttony. Coveting the donut is already sin. I won't add to that with gluttony too.

I am reminded that my body is not my own. It belongs to God. His Spirit fills me. I am called to treat it as His temple. Overdosing on donuts or any other food is not part of His plan.

I do realize that the scripture above deals with sexual immortality. But I think God would be okay with applying it to food as well. Our bodies are still His temple and too much food is still an abuse.

I'm trying hard to remember that. In these last few years, I have ignored the pounds that have crept on. I am not overweight but I am heavier than I have been in probably 30 years. I don't own a scale but my clothes are tighter. Indeed, once favorite jeans are no longer part of my wearable attire.

I try to resist the donuts and other calorie-laden food that is so readily available. Chips are a particular weekness. We are called to provide nourishment to our bodies, not pack them with enticing foods that have no value other than to satisfy a craving.

Surely, God wants us to be happy. I believe He likes Krispy Kreme donuts and all the other foods we love. But the Bible talks about moderation (it's okay to drink but not be drunk, for example). I hope I can remember that the next time I'm tempted to overeat a food a crave.