Spiritual Metabolic Shut-Down

I realize at breakfast sometimes that I'm not really hungry. Yet, we've all probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It's important to eat something - even if it's just a few bites - as it will kick-start our metabolisms. Our bodies shut down during the night while we're sleeping; they need some energy in the form of food (preferably healthy food) to start back up again.

Even if my still non-functioning brain isn't registering my stomach as hungry, I make the conscience choice to eat at least a few bites. I know it's good for me and will help me function better. And you know what? I can tell it works. If I don't eat - I have a harder time getting fully awake and I don't become hungry for a longer amount of time. This may seem like a good thing to not be hungry because it means I eat less, but it's actually counterproductive in trying to achieve or keep a healthy weight. If I do eat - my body starts functioning sooner, I accomplish more in my day, and I become hungry again quicker.

Don't eat - don't get hungry; do eat - get hungry quicker.

I find the same idea works when reading and studying the Word of God. The longer I go without reading or studying the Bible, the less desire I have to do it. My spiritual metabolism shuts down. I'm no longer burning calories; I have no power and no energy. I weaken into a spiritual couch-potato.

If I make the choice to go ahead and eat a few bites - read a few verses - then my spiritual metabolism has the energy it needs to kick start again. The power of His Word starts burning inside me as it empowers me to do the work to which He has called me. Similar to the effect of real food on the body, eating just those few bites makes me hunger for more. A few bites leads to a whole chapter. A chapter gives me something to meditate on for a while. Meditation leads to in-depth study and before I know it, I'm feasting on the Word of God.

The good news is that the physical food - spiritual food comparison breaks down at this point. If we eat real food, it makes us hunger for more. This cycle can quickly go too far causing us to be overweight and deal with all kinds of other problems. Eating spiritual food will never have that same problem. We can snack, eat, or completely pig out on the Word of God. We never have to worry about getting fat. If we allow the Word to transform us, then those spiritual calories will burn as fast as we consume them.