FOOD!

Another culinary pièce de résistance from the kitchen of my good friends, the Morgans. Chocolate chip-pecan-coconut pie.

Chocolate! Drool-worthy. Lick-inducing. Bite-delicious.

Chocolate! Theobroma cacao. That’s the plant that gives us the good stuff. The first word denoting the genus of this precious plant means “Food of the gods”. Amen! “Theobromine” is an alkaloid in cocoa and chocolate, a stimulant with mood-elevating effects. Another equally invigorating, but minor, constituent is “Anandamide”—from the Sanskrit, ananda = bliss!

If you didn’t know it already, let me tell you that it is not chocolate, theobromine, anandamide, or any of your drugs of choice du jour— inhaled, ingested, or injected—that can provide true delight.

The young lions do lack
and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the LORD
shall not be in want
of any good thing.
Psalm 34:10

Indeed! It is in God that true, lasting, eternal happiness can be had. It is in a right relationship with one’s Creator that fulfillment is found. It is in getting right with the King that His blessings are bestowed.

And the first step towards that end is taken when we place our trust in Christ, believing that He died and rose again, paying the full, final penalty for our sins. Jesus said:

“I am the living bread that
came down out of heaven;
if anyone eats of this bread,
he will live forever.”
John 6:51

And not just eternal life. Life-purpose in His plan. Joy in His presence. Security in His protection. Peace in His providence.

For He has satisfied
the thirsty soul,
And the hungry soul
He has filled
with what is good.
Psalm 107:9

From His hand comes everything that is good. Even chocolate! Therefore we give thanks to God …

… who gives food to all flesh,
For His lovingkindness
is everlasting!
Psalm 136:25

And for believers who continue to seek and to serve God, walking with Him, the promises of God are even more potent.

No good thing
does He withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11

No good thing withheld! Imagine that! But conditioned upon walking uprightly, walking with integrity, walking according to His Word.

Man shall not live
on bread alone,
but on every word
that proceeds
out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4

If our spiritual sustenance is God’s Word, and if …

… the kingdom of God
is not eating and drinking …
Romans 14:17

… and if you, like me, are in need of being reminded constantly about this in the midst of life’s bustle and business, its disorder and din, its madness and messiness, why not consider a sacrificial act of discipline this season of Lent to focus yourself on matters spiritual? Traditionally the church has, over the millennia of its existence, prepared for Easter by self-examination and discipline during Lent—intentional and sustained acts of self-control from a heart of grateful devotion to God. So why not give it a try this year?

Fasting? Financial restraint? Increase in giving? Intensity in Scripture memorization? Self-discipline regarding a habit? Self-control regarding an excess? Engagement in corporate prayer? Exercising solitude? Assuming silence? Abstaining?

… discipline yourself
for the purpose of godliness;
… godliness is profitable
for all things.
1 Timothy 4:7–8

Disciplined. To do His will. To seek Him. To serve Him. To find satisfaction in Him alone.

Jesus said …
“My food is to do the will
of Him who sent Me
and to accomplish His work.”
John 4:34

Bliss. Not in food. Not in chocolate. But in the will of God. Through the Word of God.