The wellspring of life?

Melina, a young woman who works in our office, reminds me frequently about taking care of my physical health. Last year at Christmas she gave me a book- YOU, the owner's manual, which outlines the basic principles of healthy living. As a result of getting educated I do not drink diet sodas or catch a quick burger for lunch very often these days. I have a better understanding that 'junk' food is called that for a good reason! Over time I retrained my tastes so that I no longer enjoy a fast food meal, preferring the complex flavors of a great salad; really! Now if only I could get myself disciplined to exercise more regularly.

Let me take up Melina's role and encourage you to consider the nutritional value of what you feed your mind and soul. As surely as the body will grow diseased when fed a constant diet that is high in fat, sugar, salt, and carbohydrates, the soul that is fed a steady diet of TV sit-coms and pop music will not grow deep in the ways of the Lord! I know how easy it is to get home weary from the day and to flip on the TV and let two or three hours go by thoughtlessly. The flow of images and sounds from that box distracts us from the problems of the day or offers us a brief escape into other worlds. It's not all bad! Some programs inform us, others teach us. But, many are truly 'junk' food that feed us materialism, greed, and lust.

Then, too, let me ask - what is the soundtrack of your life? Most of us are not consciously aware of the music that underlies the movies or TV programs we watch until it is missing! The soundtrack is just part of the background, but it makes a huge difference in the way we 'see' the story. Music is everywhere today. Our cars and trucks have music systems that let us enjoy a mobile concert hall while we travel. Stores play music while we shop. Many of our homes are filled with the sound of music. What's playing right now? I am not speaking so much to the style of music as I am the content. If the soundtrack of your life is full of sex, rage, and/or despair - as so much music is - it will most certainly have a negative effect on your spirit!

America's primary health problem is unique in history. Up to this era, the greatest concern was maintaining a supply of food to avoid starvation. Now, we are a 'fat' nation because despite having an abundance of quality foods available at amazingly low prices, many of us choose to eat 'junk!' So, when we could have the best quality of life ever known to humanity, we are eating ourselves to death! The same situation exists in terms of the mind! We have access to education, to resources, to music of amazing quality. We can attend university without leaving our living room. We can visit an exotic culture and learn with a click of a TV remote. We can read fourteen different versions of the Bible! We can buy and read books that explain the Christian life in detail. But, too often, we fill up our mind with 'junk!' Change the channel, change the tune. Buy a book, interact with your family. Spend time in thoughtful prayer. Pick up your Bible and a good book that contains some solid soul food regularly.

The Scripture urges us to a good diet for the soul, so we will become able to know the Truth. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." (2 Timothy 2:15-16, NIV)
In another metaphor, the Word speaks to the need to mature our understanding. "You need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong." (Hebrews 5:12-14, NLT)

Do you want the ability to be creative?
Do you want to really know how to worship the living Lord in a way that goes beyond superficial emotions?
Do you want to be able to overcome sin and live a noble and holy life that honors God?
Do you want to meet temptation and beat it?

Start by choosing to nourish your spirit with good food!
Here's a word from the Word to take with you today - "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)