I have put on a few pounds in the past year – more than I wish the scale would record. I confess that it all has to do with what I have been eating and the fact that I’ve been living a sedentary lifestyle. I can’t recall the last time I went for a walk in the form of exercise.

In the past year, I’ve gotten into eating bread and rice again. I’ve also been eating way more snacks than I should, whether chips, chocolate, cupcakes etc. The reality is, I’m sweet mouth – BAD (like my mom)! I also LOVE a good baked bread. I recently went to a function where only two of us were at a table of 10 and I GLADLY ate lots of the bread in the basket. I was secretly happy the table wasn’t full. I didn’t have to share that good-tasting, fresh bread.

Essentially, I’ve been putting junk in my body. Lots!

That’s from a natural standpoint. I often look at natural things and make spiritual connections and the question is, ‘What am I eating spiritually?’ What is taking up most of my time? What am I filling up on? What about you? Is it WhatsApp? Facebook? Is it Meghan and Harry? Is it The Today Show? Is it CNN? National Geographic, sports or Greenleaf (I watched it one Sunday at a gathering and HATE the way the church is represented)?

In and of themselves, some of these things might seem innocent, but are you consumed with anything? Be real. Do you reach for the remote control quicker than the Bible? And even if you are turning to a Christian station, are you watching the pastors on TBN, 3ABN, The Word Network or on YouTube more than you are picking up the word itself? Don’t get me wrong – we learn from others, but even those should never take precedence over our own personal connection with God through His Word and prayer.

Today, I focus on the Word and remind you of what Paul said in 1 Timothy 4:13, “Give attendance to reading…” and in 2 Timothy 2:15, where we are admonished to “Study to show ourselves approved…rightly dividing the Word of truth.” Further, the only way we can be, “…doers of the word, and not hearers only…” is if we actually feed ourselves the Word and obey it.  

So have you thought recently about what sinfully delicious, caramelized, mountain of sugary goodness you’ve been filling up on? Are they empty calories or healthy for your spiritual life – helping you to sustain that relationship with the Father?

For me, it’s definitely been social media, inclusive of WhatsApp. And although I do not post foolishness or trivial things, I have sometimes allowed social media to be a distraction and eaten a gluttonous plate of it. Social media has its positives, but sometimes we spend too much time on it. It could very well become a distraction from getting into the Word itself. We must be careful of the wiles of the enemy; he is crafty. Today, I am reminded of a prayer session I had with one of my brothers on the 23^rd May, 2018. It stood out to me to the point that I typed it in the Notes section of my phone afterwards: “May she not get distracted with the cares of this life and focus on Jesus.”

My questions to you: What are you eating? What are you filling up on?

Growing in Christ,

Hadassah