Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

by Kelly Knowlden

Because we think about life in terms of what is seen, felt and heard, we often get caught in these circumstances thinking, “This is a bummer!” “I don’t like this!” “This is stupid!” “Why did God let this happen?” “Why doesn’t anything ever go my way?” etc. The consequence of this thinking is to make choices based on how we feel at the given moment (anger, yelling, mental predictions of what will happen next, withdrawal, frustration, etc.)  which we later regret and repent of and tell ourselves we won’t do again.

Into this cycle (which we don’t learn from very well) put this thought: "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (I Cor. 10:31). Here we have a statement that tells us that ALL of life is spiritual. What does this mean? It means that when Freddie won’t eat his oatmeal (do his homework, take out the trash, etc.) there is a spiritual dynamic to this event that MUST not be ignored. On one hand is the spiritual stuff that is going on with Freddie. “Why doesn't he want to eat it?” “What spiritual truth does he need to know?” “What appropriate correction is necessary here?"

There is, on the other hand, our own spiritual response to him not eating. “Why am I angry?” “Do I feel affronted by a kid who will not listen to me?” “What reasons would I give to God for my responses?” “Do I know what it is to not want to do something?” “Do I let him off the hook because it is a universal response?”

Ultimately, we want our children and ourselves to find that peace in the midst of ALL circumstances that comes from entrusting our days to Christ and submitting to His good and perfect will.  In so doing, we will be able to truly eat, drink and be merry.