What is the best option? The past few weeks I have been doing a lot of reading on nutrition and health. Having received some negative test results, I decided to try to make some changes to my food choices prior to taking medications. Thanks to a friend of mine who gave me a bunch of books, I had at least 10 on becoming healthier. Many of these books also had a spiritual focus. Perfect – time to bring God into my food.
As I began to explore the different options, it was clear that there were often contradictions in philosophy and interpretation of statistical data on food. Since this is one of life’s great pleasures, and something I do each day, I would like to get this right. I would like the perfect plan to follow, so I can get perfect results. Many of them offered such plans, but I couldn’t find any with foods I liked, could tolerate, or capable of cooking. Sure, I could decide to eat this anyway as to “die to self”, but for me it didn’t seem like the best long term solution.
Like many things in life, I have so many choices. Often the hardest things are those that don’t give me a clear path to follow. During Covid, this can seem intensified, as even with all the research and experts out there, there is much we do not know. Lots of “errors” occur daily, as well as people who take advantage of times such as these. I look around me with all the social injustice, poverty, and need and can be overwhelmed by it. Relationships can be tricky, how do I know when to speak up and share, or when my feelings are so mixed up in the past, that it would be better for me to be silent and go process, as what is going on is not about the present situation.
In the midst of my health readings, I just finished reading “Fully Awake and Truly Alive” by Rev. Jane E. Vennard. I like how she talks about staying present even when situations seem overwhelming or we don’t see a clear answer. “We must bear witness to what has gone before and to the pain and injustices that continue today”. This includes seeing and feeling. Not easy tasks for me, when there are lots of emotions involved. I can feel guilty for not meeting perceived need, yet sometimes I can miss the real need in all of us.
I love the story of Jesus at the well in John 4. When the woman asks Jesus for water, he responds with an offer for living water. “13 ‘Everyone who drinks this water’, Jesus replied, ‘will get thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I’ll give them won’t ever be thirsty again. No: the water I’ll give them will become a spring of water welling up to the life of God’s new age.’” Jesus was offering the greatest gift to everyone – water that nourishes forever. Though he didn’t physically meet everyone’s need, he gave us His Spirit when he was resurrected from the cross. His ministry was not always predictable, he healed some who came, he reached out to others, and he healed through interventions of others. However, everyone is offered the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Making decision about what to do is often about seeing what is in front of me in the little and big things. I choose to view my body as sacred, and start making better choices about what I eat. Eating lots of vegetables is clear in all the plans as well as exercise. Other things I can practice, observe and see what works, continuing to seek God and others for wisdom, and practicing love. In the world of service I need to be alert to my daily life and when the doors are opening and the Spirit is clear. In all things, love is at the center of everything. Taking a step in love, is always on the path. We are all connected and service isn’t just about me giving, but something deeper where I can give and receive in this wonderful world that has been given to us.
In Spirit and Love, Elissa Noble
