There have been many times in my life that my flesh has felt great satisfaction and enjoyment. God made us that way and I am convinced that physical pleasure is a Great thing! But it has also been my experience that pleasure of the flesh if taken as the most important pleasure or the most valuable element to life creates a spiritual void. Perhaps the diet needs to be examined.
What kind of food are you eating?
Soul food or flesh food?
It has been my experience that some things are great for the flesh and others are great for the soul but I cant think of anything that a constant diet of will nurture both.
Is there a reason for this?
Could it be that some food heals the soul and other food feeds the flesh but none do both?
Please don’t misunderstand as long as I am in this body I have to feed the flesh to some extent. The idea for this study actually hit me while looking at a sign for a local fast food place called “Seoul Food” so I am not trying to say feed the soul only. In my opinion that is what monks and those who separate from society do and I know for me at least I wasn’t called to do that.
But just like when one part of a person’s body begins to become to dominant, so the flesh can easily dominate the soul and to keep the same scenario most of the time we don’t even see it.
“Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” – Acts 3:2-10
The first thing I like here is the name of the gate. The gate was called “Beautiful” and the big reason I like that is because it’s so easy to sit right next to “Beautiful” but until you are healed life will suck no matter what beauty is around you.
Was the healing in this passage only physical?
I don’t think so. For starters this man had been lame from birth and he had probably been at this gate for a long time. I could see where it would have been easy to get callused or hardened to the people walking by and the situation. Life had made him a beggar but perhaps his attitude made him a slave to thinking that only the money would feed him.
For whatever reason he was at the point he was so that God could move through him. The movement started with Peter and John getting his attention, “Look at us!”
Most of the times for me this is the first thing God does is get my attention. Many times it is rather abrupt but that is because I didn’t listen to the still small voice. I find for me at least God prefers a tap on the shoulder but he loves me enough that a knock upside the head by a sledge hammer is not out of the question.
This next part “the miracle” could only occur once the attention was focused on the “soul food.”
“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Perhaps we could say this another way:
“I don’t have anything that is worthless by spiritual standards, I don’t have things that will rot and decay- BUT the Love of God that I do have I will give you and with that Love you will fly to places you have never dreamed of and the journey will be guided by one with nail scared hands who loved you enough to take away the hardened heart and pain you feel and replace it with a life right here and now that only He can give- the kingdom of God is within you – LIVE IN IT!”
The rest of this passage goes on to talk about how one healing will cause so many others to go, “Wow look what Love can do!” This is the same thing people will do when one callused, hardened person in pain begins to smile and say, “Good Morning Thank you for being part of this day for me” to people who used to see an emotional crippled beggar.
Be Love today and let His light shine through you!
Good Morning,
Just to let you know this lesson is amazing! I really hope many others get to read it and be touched by the love of God. Don’t ever stop writing!
Thank you sister!
I cant tell you in words how much I needed to hear that and how much it blessed me. Thank you so much for your constant encouragement and the Love that shines through you so strong!