Spiritual (and other) Cravings…
It’s a brand-new year, full of new opportunities. A clean slate. Maybe even a clean diet. A funny thing happens around the end-of-year holidays.
Before the holidays arrive, I have fairly good eating habits. I limit processed foods, I avoid snacking, try to eat more fruit and veggies, and I track my water so I can increase what I drink. If I do all that, I don’t really crave the bad stuff. My palate is oriented towards better food.
Then the holidays arrive and danger hovers nearby. First, there are party invitations, you know, the kind where everyone brings something yummy and it’s all spread out on a buffet table smelling warm and wonderful. And there’s just enough room on the plate for a little bit of everything. If I’m the one hosting the party, I get leftovers.
After all that, there might be food gifts…boxes of chocolate or (my biggest weakness) shortbread! Suddenly, my no-snacking rule is pushed against the wall. (The only reason I don’t normally snack isn’t because I have iron discipline. It’s because I don’t BUY it so it’s not in the house! I discipline myself to not buy it in the first place.) If it’s in the house, I just might be tempted to snack…
So, during November and December, my taste actually changes from craving good stuff to craving the not-so-good stuff. (I wonder, why am I craving that? I don’t usually eat that!) But I know as soon as I go back to better food, I’ll stop craving the holiday food including decadent desserts and salty muchables, and desire more healthy food.
I’ve noticed a similar pattern with God’s Word. If I’m in a good daily habit and spending adequate time to connect with my Heavenly Father, reading truth, surrendering my life and my day to his direction, it’s like healthy food is for my body. I feel spiritually healthy.
I crave more of it.
If I get out of the habit…I’m on a vacation, have house guests, or I’m slacking off, I sense a little shift inside. I crave that input and perspective a bit less. I feel more disconnected. Less spiritually healthy. My life connection with God the Father doesn’t feel quite as strong. And I feel more vulnerable.
It doesn’t take long for either our palates or our spirits to stop craving what’s good for us. The key is to consistently take in what’s good. Stay connected to the Father through the Word, to keep his thoughts circulating in our hearts like good nutrients. That way, we’re less vulnerable to the world’s system. It doesn’t take long to be permeated by the world’s system, especially if I skimp on my good habits.
We aren’t of this world and its system, but are citizens of heaven. We still live here, but must keep our connection to God strong, so that the world system doesn’t start to filter into our perspective and change it, weakening our convictions and resolve. That’s why we’re told, “Set your minds on what is true,” Phil. 4:8a. Be filled by the Word of God and his words will come back to you, circulating like a living fountain.