How’d you do this week? What were some of your successes and where could you make improvements? We’re half way through the month and I thank you for joining me!
This week was fairly good on my part. I am still reminding myself that an apple is available should I feel the need for a snack and did focus on eating whole plant foods over the last week. I did eat a few things that weren’t whole plant foods {I’m looking at you smores & persians} but overall I had a successful week. Our goal is a healthy lifestyle that is attainable, right? This gives us a touch of wiggle room.
Before we begin I would suggest reading Matthew 6.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
This week during my regular reading I happened to hit the passage in the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus is giving express commands on how to live. Jesus reminds us that a good life is one where the focus is on others, not ourselves. A life where material things can be enjoyed but are not be worshipped. Food can be delicious but shouldn’t be our focus. Our focus instead should rest in God and on living a God-centered life.
Our world today makes these instructions so much harder to live by. Jesus did not have to face a world determined to consume as much as possible. There were no 0.99 cent Big Gulps or shows about Extreme Couponing. Our world is one that thinks that more is better, we can never have enough. Jesus reminds us that this isn’t true. More is not better, more is just more. More fills up the space in our lives and prevents us from seeing the needs of the world around us. Perhaps it’s time to clear out some clutter.
This week our challenge is to clean out our cupboard clutter. If you’re anything like the me you’ve probably lost track in some way of what’s actually in your cupboard. This week we are going to organize our cupboards and see what’s really there. We’ll purge the things we shouldn’t be eating or that we have too much of {our local food banks will be very happy!} and we’ll plan meals around what is left. Jesus reminds us that hoarding our treasures is not a solid way to live. When we hoard and collect we forget how blessed we are. Our focus shifts from one of gratitude to one of consumption. This is not healthy for us and doesn’t jive with our new approach of living healthier.
Faith and Food Challenge:
Jesus reminds us that we are not to worry about what we shall eat or drink. Life is not about what we’re eating, it’s about what we’re doing and who we’re doing it with. Our goal this week is to honor the gift of food and sit down when we are eating. Michael Pollan reminds us that families traditionally ate together around a table. He says “It’s a good tradition. Enjoy meals with the people you love.” Seek out friends and family to eat with at least 3-4 times this week. Make an effort to enjoy the company of those you love. Food is about connection and community, not just physical nourishment.
