In those moments when Moosetracks ice cream is calling to me from my freezer, my favorite Bible verse is always the last part of 1 Timothy 6:17, which says God “richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”
I know I’m quoting only part of the verse and taking it completely out of context, a favorite ploy of those seeking to justify questionable behavior. But maybe it’s really not too much of a stretch to believe that if I enjoy Moosetracks thankfully and sensibly, perhaps my Heavenly Father enjoys my enjoyment.
I know I certainly am currently enjoying my 4-year-old grandson’s creative and enthusiastic eating habits and am regularly entertained by text messages from my daughter-in-law about Walty’s culinary adventures.
For example …
“… (Walty) just ate three eggs, two pieces of bacon, a yogurt cup, a clementine, a piece of ham, and two slices of red bell pepper. And a few chocolate chips for dessert. Then he was still hungry, so he ate a piece of cheese and a handful of dried cranberries.”
And … “Walter just ate a hot dog (no bun) and FIVE helpings of salad with goat cheese, cranberries and roasted chicken in it!”
And … “Walter ate four pieces of bacon, a bowl of applesauce, five pickles and a cup of chocolate milk for breakfast. …”
And … “He didn’t want oatmeal and cantaloupe for breakfast. He’s eating a whole, raw bell pepper instead.”
Yes, Walty certainly enjoys the food God richly supplies him.
Something about this made me think about how many times Jesus used food to make a point—maybe because so many of us love it so.
He definitely turned some heads when He fed thousands of people by miraculously multiplying a few loaves of bread and some fish—a miracle He performed at least twice, according to Scripture.
Another time, Jesus stirred up quite a brouhaha when He allowed His disciples to pluck off and eat a few grains of wheat as they strolled through a wheat field on a Sabbath day—a big no-no in the hyper-critical eyes of the Pharisees.
Then there was the time Jesus spoke metaphorically about His followers needing to “drink His blood and eat His body.” More than a few casual hangers-on bailed after hearing that.
But my favorite Jesus-and-food passage is recorded in John 4. The disciples had gone into the city to buy some food, and while they were gone, Jesus went to the village well and struck up a conversation with a Samaritan woman. When the disciples returned, they urged Jesus to eat.
“But He said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples were saying to one another, ‘No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?’” (John 4:32-33)
They’d just made a not-so-fast food run and now Jesus was telling them He already had food? You mean He let them walk all that way for nothing?
Those disciples could be so doggone clueless. So much like most of us.
“‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work,’” Jesus explained. (John 4:34)
It seems apparent Jesus was tuned into a very different channel than His disciples in that moment. His conversation with the woman at the well resulted in many Samaritans coming to faith in Him.
That’s what sustained, nourished and satisfied Him more than anything—fulfilling God’s purpose for His life.
And so should it be for all of us who follow Him. Nothing really satisfies our deepest hunger but being and doing what God has called us to be and do.
Of all the things God richly supplies us to enjoy, He Himself is the best.