Food for Thought

The very first choice in the Bible involves food.

Humanity is given access to literally everything they could possibly need to live healthy, thriving lives. They’re also told that whilst there is other food that they could eat - that looks and even tastes good and might satisfy - this might actually lead to ongoing cravings and unhealthy habits.

I don’t know about you but I find this simple story really easy to relate to.

I really like food and really enjoy cooking. But, particularly when I’m at home for an evening by myself, I will often reach for the junk. The zero effort, don’t have to think, I want it so I’ll take it kind of food. The other day I was in a rush and by myself so my lunch consisted of crisps and Christmas cake! Not exactly the makings of a healthy life…!

The reality is, I face this choice regularly. And that’s why the Genesis story is so clever. Because we all face similar choices, all the time, every day!

And actually, these regular, daily choices all come down to trust. It’s not really about what we do or don’t eat… the question within the story is do we trust the God of the garden? Do we trust the creator to provide? Do we trust in the boundaries they’re set?

This question is the heart beat of scripture. It’s posed to Abraham as he sets out from Ur. It’s posed to Israel as they gather at Sinai and again as they enter the promised land. It’s posed to Saul,  David, Solomon - in fact every leader of Gods people! It’s posed to Esther and to Mary. It’s posed to Peter countless times

And it’s always also posed to us.

Do we trust God? Do we receive the abundance of goodness God offers us? Or do we prefer to reach for that which, though it might look good and even satisfy our needs or cravings in some way, is ultimately bad for us. Do we trust God to make that call?