Fast food. It becomes an option when I haven’t had time to prepare dinner. It’s quick, convenient, and usually tastes good – although I wouldn’t want to vouch for its nutritional value. Just last week, I opted for fast food when dinner time rolled around and I hadn’t consulted my weekly menu plan. A brief glance at the plan reaffirmed what I already knew. There was no way I could make calzones and serve them for dinner, unless we were interested in a midnight snack.
Off to the drive-through. Our order was ready quickly. From the time we got in line, to the time we finished our meal, less than an hour had passed. Whoever came up with the term ‘fast’ food, was definitely accurate!
Advantages of fast food aside, I DO enjoy cooking a meal and savoring each dish at a more leisurely pace. There’s something about preparing things that are tasty and nutritional that leaves me with a feeling of satisfaction. Although fast food has its place when I’m in a pinch, my preference is home cooking every time.
In a lot of ways, time is the currency of our day. With a major emphasis placed on being productive, I can’t help considering what my spiritual ‘meals’ look like on a daily basis. Am I interested in quality ‘food’ or satisfied with spiritual 'fast food'? Am I so busy with the good, that I crowd out the best - the opportunity to spend time with my Heavenly Father?
There are days when reading a quick chapter in God’s Word and praying while on the road is the best I can do. But what truly satisfies? Those days when I open His Word, take time to sit at His feet, and really consider what He’s saying to me. The times when I pray His Word back to Him over the situations that concern me. The moments I’m completely still, reveling in the knowledge that He IS God.
The more time I spend in relationship with Him, the more I desire the things that truly satisfy my spiritual appetite. The Psalmist, David, a man after God’s own heart, put it this way, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much find gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb,” (Psalm 19:7-10; KJV).
The spiritual hunger that I experience can only be satisfied by spending time with God. David recognized this when he cried out, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is…Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee…My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips,” (Psalm 63:1,3,5).
Spiritual fast food or a real spiritual meal? What will you choose to satisfy your spiritual appetite today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to hunger and thirst for a closer relationship with You. Fill me with the things that will truly satisfy my spiritual appetite. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Amen and amen!
ReplyDeleteLynda - Thanks so much for stopping by! God bless you today!
ReplyDeleteI just heard this topic debated on the radio yesterday. One lady said she put Bibles in each bathroom because even catching a minute or two in the word several times a day was helpful to get it ingrained in our minds. It did inspire me to have His word available in more places - like the car or office or a small one in my purse for waiting in the Doctors office. Sometimes it's better than nothing I guess. Very good analogy and thought provoking, Maria!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Jan
Jan - Great to see you! Love the idea of 'feeding' on the Word throughout the day. It's important to stay close to the Lord all day long. I know it's not realistic for the majority of us to expect that we can spend hours a day reading God's Word and praying - but a heart that's truly seeking Him is what I'm concentrating on, rather than one that wants to hurry up and do a quick devotional to check it off my to-do list! Thanks for your insight, my friend! God bless!
ReplyDeleteFast food will satisfy, but NOTHING like a full, healthy, delicious meal - that will ENRICH us - not just satisfy. The same with our relationship with the Lord. You will not grow as you should if you don't invest time in it - and that means something different for each person.
ReplyDeleteJoanne - Great insight! Love the distinction you make between being satisfied and being enriched. Investing time is the key to developing any strong relationship. The Lord knows the time each of us has available, and loves it when we choose to give Him first place! God bless you!
ReplyDeleteHey Maria, Right now I am going through the fast food line with a savory meal every other week! I miss HIM! Thanks for reminding me how much I miss Him.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maria! :)
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to stop by and let you know that I awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award on my blog today.
Come by to claim it when you can - http://www.sherisalatin.com/2011/09/21/meadow-spring-the-versatile-blogger-award/
Congratulations!
I definitely enjoy my fast food - probably a little too much. And I like how you relate it to the spiritual fast food we can easily settle for. I certainly want to spend quality time with Him.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I've discovered the more I choose a "homecooked" spiritual meal, the less the "fast" variety satisfies me. My hunger grows in relation to how much I put into my relationship with the Lord.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere I read that when a person is starving to death they get to a place where they don't even feel hungry. Scary when you apply that to spiritual things.
Awesome blog you have heere
ReplyDelete