I wouldn't be classified as a health nut, but I do try to eat healthy around 80-90 percent of the time, give or take. :-) I bake instead of fry; eat mostly lean meats like chicken and fish; dine out very infrequently; eat whole wheat bread instead of white; incorporate plenty of veggies and fruits into my diet; drink water instead of sugary drinks, more often than not; and I don't indulge in sweets or junk food too frequently, although I do have an "achilles heel" that threatens to derail my healthy habits.
I enjoy my Pepsi, as you know, and not the diet or caffeine-free kind. I love my tea with non-dairy cream and sugar (So good!). And, from time-to-time, I feed my hunger for an occasional burger and fry, and a delicious pizza pie from my local pizzeria.
So anyway, yesterday I was having one of those I-wanna-indulge days, so I decided to grab some burgers and cook one up at home. I cranked up the griddle, threw a burger on it, and noticed my 7-year-old son Kedar hovering over me. "Mom why are you cooking a burger?" he asked. "Oh, I like to eat burgers every now and then," I smiled while poking my beef patty with a fork. "I thought you didn't eat red meat that much because it makes your stomach hurt," Kedar responded. He was right. Since I don't eat beef very often, if I overdo it, I'll get sick from it.
"What did you eat for breakfast this morning mom?" asked the young diet police, as he continued his investigation. I told him what I had eaten, to which he responded, "Oh, OK that's good. I guess it's OK for you to have a burger as long as you ate something healthy first."
I cracked up inside. "Oh, why thank you Kedar," I said with a sarcastic smile to the family's self-appointed advisor, responsible for keeping everyone in check.
After he headed on out of the kitchen, I chuckled to myself and thought about what he said. It actually makes sense as a spiritual lesson. You see, daily we are bombarded with junk from the outside world. That's why we need to consume "something healthy" first, in order to counterbalance all the negativity and immorality we face. Feasting on the word of God, fortifying our hearts with prayer, and filling our minds with "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" (See Philippians 4:8), will sustain us.
There is undeniably a battle for our hearts and minds being waged everyday. That's why we must be prepared. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
Now, in terms of good practical advice, I don't know that Kedar's theory holds up. I'm not sure that having a healthy breakfast does much to offset a greasy lunch. But, our spiritual breakfast matters. Are we starting our day off with prayer and devotion. If not, we leave ourselves open and susceptible to the attack of the enemy. I believe that, starting our morning with a feast at the Lord's table, sets the tone for our entire day, and gives us what we need to stand in the midst of opposition and adversity. If we allow God to fill us up, we won't have any room left over for the foolishness of this world. As Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I have so much coming at me from all sides. Everyday I have to face a world that does not know You, love You, or serve You. Please fill me up with Your word; Your spirit; Your peace; Your thoughts; and Your passions. As I draw near to You, feed me with bread from heaven, so that my spirit will be whole, and my heart will remain pure before You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
