Feasting with God

I have a confession - I LOVE food and eating! I enjoy deciding what's for breakfast - is it a smoothie day, or maybe a coffee cake day, or even a biscuits and gravy day. Lunch is usually whatever is left over from a meal and really not that big a deal (unless I'm having lunch with friends like I did yesterday - now that's an event!). Then comes dinner time and I've been trying some new recipes. My husband has really enjoyed them so I love cooking for us to sit and talk (and watch tv together). Yes, eating is an event for me!

So what in the world does this have to do with feasting with God?

Recently, I let several days in a row go by without bible study or having quiet time with God. And I'm telling you right now, it showed - and it showed up in my reactions, thoughts and feelings!

I first noticed something wrong or "off" on a weekend night after I hadn't read my devotion that morning. Trust me when I say I struggled that evening. Sunday morning came and I was determined to go to church. By the time I got in the car and headed there, I was a mess - angry, depressed, not in a spiritual mood! Again, I won't go into the details, but you get the picture! I did readjust my attitude while in the car and was in much better spirits when I got to church. That evening I didn't sleep well at all so let's add tired to my "mess."

Monday morning came and I was exhausted! I knew I had quite a bit of work to get done, so I started working early, doing that instead of having my quiet time. I tossed and turned all that night also, and Tuesday morning came. You wouldn't have recognized me. I was stressed, I was depressed, I was a mess and I knew it couldn't continue!

I took some time that morning to just sit and think, what is going on? I realized (yes, I know, it took me that long to put 2 and 2 together!) that not only had my routine been disrupted - which bothers me greatly - but that I felt apart from God! I hadn't taken the time to sit with Him, to read His word, to pray. Being away from Him for multiple days had me hungering for His presence, His closeness, His strength! I realized my reactions over the last few days were so much more intense than they are when I take time to be with God on a daily basis. I realized that when I'm apart from Him, I get weak!

What I learned is that a close relationship with God is imperative in my life. It is my sustenance, my food, my feast! The enemy knows my weaknesses and he is going to jump in at the slightest opportunity - and I had given him that opportunity - and he ran with it in a very short amount of time.

So, I'm back to my quiet time, back to my bible study, and back to my talks with our Creator. Even as I tell this story, I smile and life just feels better! I've decided to change my mindset; instead of thinking that spending time with God daily is a "good goal" to have, I'm now looking at it as a life-sustaining activity. Spending time with God daily is, for me, like eating - it's how I will grow, it's how I will stay strong and in His will. Luke 14:15b (CSB) says:

“Blessed is the one who will eat bread in the kingdom of God! ”

Jesus has told us that one day, we will eat with God. We will bask in His glory every day, all day. Until then, we have the opportunity to feast in Him, to feast on His Word, every day, while we are here on Earth! Who's hungry?

Until next time,

Vickie