Job 38: Then The Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: (4) Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much…(12) Have you ever once commanded the morning to appear, and cause the dawn to rise in the east?... (24) Where is the path to the distribution point of light? Where is the home of the east wind? (27) Who laid out the path for the lightening, causing the rain to fall upon the barren desert… (29) Who is the mother of the ice and frost? (33) Do you know the laws of the universe and how the heavens influence the earth? (35) Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct it? [Living Bible translation.
Summary:
Job was a family man. He was a wealthy man. He was a healthy man. Everything was going right and then suddenly everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Job lost his children. Job lost his home. He lost his wealth and he lost his health. All of Job’s material possessions just disappeared. Job’s wife was angry about what happening to them and had nothing good to offer Job. Job’s friends did not seem like friends at all. Job tried to make sense of what was happening in his life but he just could not figure it out. Job tried to talk to his friends but Job’s friends just assumed that it must be Job’s fault. When Job tries to “talk it out” with God, GOD reminds Job through a series of questions that only GOD is GOD. GOD reminds Job of WHO GOD IS. Through a series of questions Job is also reminded of his own limitations. Job cannot answer GOD’s questions—not even one, and Job comes to realize that he cannot question GOD or comprehend GOD’s ways. Job becomes mindful that he is dealing in matters that a simple human mind “cannot understand.” Some things are far “too wonderful for him” to know. (Job 42:3) Job becomes mindful that he must come to GOD in FAITH; he cannot come to GOD demanding explanations.
BE MINDFUL ABOUT EATING
Eating raw on Wednesdays helps us to be mindful of the foods we eat, if we take notice. When we eat raw we can appreciate the color of the various fruit (the redness of an apple, the ripeness of a banana, whether the plum is soft or hard, the color and texture of the greens, the smell of the strawberries, the melons or a group of berries, the crunchiness and various textures of the nuts, carrots, celery, beans and the other things we eat, if we take notice.
Writers who have written about mindful eating offer the following tips:
- Express Gratitude:
Resist the urge start devouring your food. If you are eating a piece of fruit---for example an apple---take a moment and just consider all the kindness that went into growing your apple. Think about the mother who raised the farmer who planted the apple tree. Think about the miraculous ecosystem. Think about the apple pickers, the supermarket workers---the stockers, the cashier, the baggers. Express gratitude that you are able to eat in peace and comfort. Say a silent prayer of thanks. See, “Stop Devouring Food and Start Enjoying It: 5 Tips for Mindful Eating,” by Tina Williamson,” - Notice What You are Eating and How You Feel—Pay Close Attention
Ask yourself some questions:
a. Why am I eating this food?
b. Is this meal healthy for me?
c. How will I feel about myself after I have eaten this?
d. How will this food affect my mood, my energy level, my ability to work or go to sleep?
e. What time is it? Is this a good time to be eating this food, this size meal at this hour?
f. Am I being a good and Godly steward of my body in eating this meal? - Choose Smaller Bites and Chew Thoroughly
Consciously choose smaller bites and chew each bite well. This will help you slow down your meal and improve your digestion. The process of breaking down food begins with the enzymes in the mouth. Chewing each bite of food 10, 20, 30 or more times helps you liquefy the food in your mouth, depending on what you are eating. Chewing also allows you tongue and palate (i.e., the roof of your mouth) to taste the food better and appreciate what you are eating. Swallow each bite and savor the wonderful taste the food offers you.. From “Zen Your Diet,” and excerpt from “Mindful Eating Mindful Life,” by Thich Nhat Hanh. One writer suggested closing your eyes as you explore the food with your senses. - Eat Slowly and Avoid Overeating
Eating slowly will help you learn how to mindfully eat so you don’t overtax your body or consume more food than you need. In Chinese medicine, it is recommended that one eat only until you are 80% full and never to “top off your tummy,” because this weakens the digestive power of your stomach, intestines, putting too much pressure on them over the long haul. Many suggest that caloric restriction and avoiding overeating helps to extend longevity. Learning how to control eating helps with weight control. From “Zen Your Diet,” and excerpt from “Mindful Eating Mindful Life,” by Thich Nhat Hanh. - Remember, Eating a Plant-Based Meal is Good for Everyone
As you eat, be mindful of others. Some like to think of “Eating Raw on Wednesday” as a group experience—everyone supporting each other. As one writer put it, it is helpful to “see far beyond the rim of the plate.” Some see the dangerous toll that eating some types of animal foods can take on their bodies—the higher risks of colon cancer from red meat and processed meats. There is also a higher risk of heart disease from saturated fat found in certain meat and dairy products. “Researchers at the University of Chicago estimate that, when it’s all added up, the average American could do more to reduce global warming emissions by going vegetarian than by switching from a Camry to a Prius.” Eating raw even one day a week has environmental consequences. From “Zen Your Diet,” and excerpt from “Mindful Eating Mindful Life,” by Thich Nhat Hanh.
BE MINDFUL OF GOD
Wednesday is a day we can also be mindful of GOD. No matter what situation you find yourself, be mindful of WHO GOD IS. If life has dealt you a lot “to swallow” at the moment, just think of prayer like the act of chewing. The more things “on your plate” the more you will have to chew on or pray about. Pray slowly, appreciating exactly who you are talking to---remember it is GOD you are praying to---GOD WHO IS ALL KNOWING, ALL POWERFUL, ALL LOVING.
Don’t try to tell GOD what to do or how to do it and don’t demand that HE do things a certain way or that HE explain everything to you or do it so you “understand.” Remember, only HE IS GOD!
If you continue to pray you will find that your prayer will activate the spiritual enzymes of FAITH. Remember, GOD is able to do exceedingly, abundantly; above all we even ask or think. Ephesians 3:20.
So today, eat mindfully. Pray mindfully. Remember, sometimes the simple things make all the difference.
Eat, chew, pray, be mindful and, BE BLESSED!
