November Focus: How We Eat

Thanksgiving is coming up. It's become a holiday most known for eating, and likely overeating. It also kicks off the grand holiday eating season for many people who will have parties and other gatherings that center on food. We've already talked a few months ago about what we eat, but how we eat can be an expression of faith too.

Often in our culture how we eat doesn't seem very holy. We're busy people, and we usually grab food on the go, eat in our cars, and shovel food down our mouths in order to keep going to our next destination. Consequently, food ceases to be anything special or in any way sacred. It is fuel or nutrients - something to be consumed, but not savored. Such a view can cause us to totally dismiss a relationship of thanks with our food. In many ways this way of eating is radically different from our ancestors who had a close connection with what they ate because, for the most part, they raised their own food or hunted (for necessity, not for sport).

Of course whether or not we share our meals with others has a large impact on us. Many studies have shown that eating together as a family can make a tremendous difference in the lives of children and teenagers. It's mostly common sense - socializing and connecting around food is basic to who we are. I would dare say no one ever wants to eat alone. We would all prefer to share a nice meal with others.

In the Biblical worldview, how you eat, and particularly who you eat with is of tremendous importance. One of the key charges against Jesus by his critics (or opponents) was that he ate with the "wrong" people: "And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, 'This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them'" (Luke 15:2).

Think about the last great meal you had - not in terms of the food, but in terms of the fellowship and friends you shared it with. Pray about eating with those who may have no one else to eat with.