What is Food's Function?

     Close your eyes and imagine you have a small square of semisweet chocolate. Observe the faint aroma of cocoa. I want you to place it on your tongue, but do not chew. Savor the slow melting sensation as your body temperature leisurely turns it into a warm chocolate sauce. Luxuriate in the silky feeling on you tongue. Take note of the slight bitterness. Indulge in the reminiscent feeling of calm or for some falling in love induced by the experience.

     Now, open your eyes. The above illustration takes the long winding road to proving my point: food has a purpose, but it has become muddled by its many characteristics. Food is comforting. Food is nostalgic. Food is nourishing. Food is sensory. Food is decadent. But ultimately, none of these are its true purpose. Food is FUEL. Food is the means by which our bodies run their many splendored tasks. Without food, the body cannot run effectively. And with the wrong food -- it doesn't run efficiently.

     
     Many people have become so addicted to the experiences that food provides; they no longer pay attention to its purpose. Living on bonbons may feel good in the heat of the moment, but eventually the lethargy and sugar induced coma that results --not to mention the weight gain that puts strain on your body-- will leave you regretting your choice of momentary pleasure.
These things are not evil. Enjoying food is part of its thrall. It is what drives people to try a diversity of food which in turn provides the body with a diversity of necessary nutrients. But culturally, we have lost sight of the primary role food plays in our lives. I believe this comes from insufficient understanding of our worth. When we value ourselves, we value our health.

Scripture says that:

19 Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,
 20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a [a]preciousness and paid for, [b]made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Amplified Bible (AMP)

     We are prized by God. We are a dwelling place for His eternal spirit. If we begin to believe that we have a divine purpose, fulfilled in part by honoring God with our bodies, physically displaying His glory wherever we go, then the choices we make concerning our health will change.

   
     Join me in choosing to glorify God in the most rudimentary fashion by making healthy choices concerning our bodies -- starting with what we choose to put in them.

Dose of Wholesome:

He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything. ~Thomas Carlyle