Time to grow up and take food seriously!!

Last night I was doing some thinking and praying about recent events that had transpired in my life and one of the most jaw dropping revelations I have had in recent time hit me. I'll copy what I wrote in my journal. I feel it's about as concise as I can get.


2-4-09
Interesting thought hit me tonight. More like revelational thought. Rev McClure (a local pastor and mentor) and I had a conversation a couple weeks ago about my lack of prayer due to a lack of thankfulness. He held me accountable, citing scripture on thankfulness, and afterwards I could feel God tell me, "it's time to grow up!". I'm so thankful for this man and his wisdom and insight. His influence in my life. So thankful. Tonight, the thought occured to me that "how is MY lack of thankfulness God's problem? It's my problem. God has provided the food for me. It is a blessing. Something that so many of my brother and sisters in the Lord do not have. I should be thankful for it with a heart of humility and reverence. If I am so deluded that I can't feel any gratitude over a meal, then I don't deserve the gift of that meal. I should then immediately start fasting until I become hungry enough that I can be truly thankful for such a thing as easy access to food.

This for me brings up connotations of being the body. My actions are directly linked to the lives of my brothers and sisters both those near me, and those around the world. My life impacts another, which impacts another, which impacts another, which then goes across the world and brings relief to a suffering brother or sister in the Lord. And vice versus. Because of this we need to do everything we can to minister, not taking for granted the smallest but much needed things in life, such as meals. The Father hasn't provided these things for me to in turn squander them. He provides them for reasons. How would I feel if there wasn't enough food, and I went without so someone else could have, because I believed that the work they could accomplish from being strong and nurished would bring about real change that might eventually bring about a better place for everyone. And then to watch that person squander that gift. To indulge in it, and never seek to make things better. How guilty am I?! How guilty are we the church?!Thats how I see the body. I have been given meals so I have the strength, focus, and energy to do all He has for me to accomplish. When I don't accomplish those tasks, taking for granted the smallest of gifts, it doesn't just hurt me, it hurts the body. Because my actions, or lack there of, affect those around me. Oh how I need to keep that in mind. Bless you Mr. McClure, bless you , and all glory be to the God that lives within you.