Is This Really Food?

“Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.’” Genesis 1:29 (NIV)

I am in my 40s, but today I look more like a teenage girl. Not because I’m wearing the latest fashion or having a wild hair day. It’s because I have a pimple that looks like a volcano getting ready to erupt on my chin.

“Mom, what is that?” my 8-year-old daughter Lucy exclaimed, pointing at the ugly bump on my face.

My in-laws were visiting and brought me a box of chocolates — one of my favorite foods. Eating with moderation seemed like a good idea until I was alone with that box of chocolates! I enjoyed them immensely, and my pimple was proof-positive of my zeal.

Food can be a stumbling block for me. Broccoli seldom tempts me, but sugar-laden baked goods or crunchy chips certainly do. I have no problem dipping a large spoon into a jar of peanut butter or frosting to satisfy my cravings. But you won’t catch me sneaking a spoonful of cottage cheese for a late-night snack.

Please don’t misunderstand me. There is certainly a place for celebration foods such as cake and ice cream. But a regular serving of daily junk food robs us of the nutrition God offers in the foods He has created.

In the creation account in Genesis, we read that God created man and woman. He blessed them and told them to “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28b, NIV). Following that impressive job description, we find our key verse: “Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.’”

God provided the physical energy Adam and Eve needed to have children and subdue the earth through the gift of food. Let that sink in a little bit. Does your temper flare easily with your family members? Do you need more energy to get through the workday? Maybe what you eat is impacting your effectiveness more than you realize.

I know I feel better after eating an apple than I do after eating a candy bar. It’s so easy in our society to eat processed food out of boxes, bags, and at the drive-thru. But that convenience comes at a cost: We suffer physically. Our taste buds may be very satisfied, but our bodies lack nutrition, which opens the door to diseases. I’m trying to ask myself a few questions before reaching for a snack or making a meal: