Though I never had trouble finishing a meal, I’ve heard stories of so many who grew up in a home where they were required to finish their plates. As a dad, I completely understand! As a young father, I had no idea how hard it would be to get my kids to eat, even if it was something they enjoyed! Again, I never struggled with not finishing my plate because my relationship with food has always been complicated. Overindulgence in tasty food is a stereotype of Texan culture that this Texan has fulfilled many times.

However, recently, I realized that even eating can be used as a model for how to prize Christ above everything, including a tasty meal. In Matthew 15:1-20, we learn that food and drink are not inherently evil, but what comes out of someone’s mouth reveals their heart. 1 Corinthians 10:25-33 also provides some excellent context for an edifying conversation on the subject. It’s not so much the food or drink itself that becomes the problem. However, the excess of these things reveals that our hope and comfort aren’t in God but in material and temporal things. Many passages, such as Proverbs 23:20-21 and Ephesians 5:18, make it clear that the abuse of food and drink is detrimental to the believer and leads to pain and destructive living.

Excess is the enemy in this context, but godliness with contentment is great gain (See 1 Timothy 6:6) even regarding food! Sometimes, in our efforts to avoid gluttony, we can become too rigid with ourselves. How many diets have I been on that rob me of flavor when moderate consumption of good food could lead me to great thankfulness and praise of the God who created us to enjoy flavor and fellowship? What if, by God’s grace, we can begin to view even our meals as an opportunity to praise God for his creativity and provision while simultaneously modeling for those around us the principles of 1 Corinthians 10:31:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Our consumption of food and drink shouldn’t stir our hearts for what’s on the table. Instead, our food and beverages should stir our affections for Christ. Whatever diminishes my affections for Christ, even if it’s the best meal on the planet, isn’t serving its ultimate purpose.
Feast imagery is used all over the Bible, but one of my recent favorites comes from Isaiah 25:6 where God himself is setting the table for a sumptuous banquet on Mt. Zion, which is a picture of the New Heavens and New Earth—the consummation of all things. Without a doubt, this will be the best meal you’ve ever had, multiplied by a thousand, and yet the thing I love the most about it is Who is preparing and serving it. Here are a few ways I’m trying to submit my love for food to God and see that love for food transfer into a well-plated love for Jesus. Will you consider joining me?

1. Redirect the meal

Although no-fuss dinners are essential for my family at times, I’m considering occasionally preparing or ordering food that I would consider a little nicer. After the food is served, I think it would be a good idea to lead my family in prayer through 1 Corinthians 10:31. This would remind me and my family that the food is ultimately not the point. The food can, if I’m willing to be intentional, point my family and me to the greater satisfaction that can only be found in Jesus.

2. Pray for those who go without

I believe there is a way to simultaneously be joyfully content with what God has provided to my family while also praying for those who have nothing. In other words, guilt trips can and should be avoided while still being mindful of those in need. My hope for my own family is that this will inspire us to feed the hungry in the name of Jesus with intention and purpose.

3. Celebrate where you’ve been and where you’re going

Today, I met with a friend who observes the Sabbath every week with her family.* I was inspired and compelled to create something similar in my own home. One part of her family’s weekly routine is to toast to the week that has just passed—meaning, they look back on all that God did in the week prior, and they acknowledge it all with a toast. I love that! I want my family not to let the provision of God go unaddressed. I’m considering using Phil. 4:19 as a reminder that God has promised to provide for us. However, I also want to look ahead in a very similar way—to pray for the coming week, but feast with my family with joyful anticipation of the scene described in Isaiah 25:6 and the Wedding Feast of the Lamb in Revelation 19:6–10. I want my family to know that the brokenness of the world, the fight against sin, and the injustice that seems so prevalent will not prevail. We know Who wins, and even a simple toast with apple juice and some Easy Mac might serve as a simple reminder of that.

4. Emphasize warmth

I want my family to feel safe and at home around our dinner table. I hope this is the theme that they will always feel. I want this experience to feel unrushed and invite others to join the family. Again, the meal is not the point, and yet it can be a great catalyst to point my family and those visiting to the true Satisfier. Having an unrushed and safe meal as a family is like announcing to a fast-paced and busy world that God is on His throne.

What ideas does this spark in you for your own family? Your kids may still need to finish their plates—but can they see the purpose behind it? My challenge to myself is to eat in a way that doesn’t lead to excess but instead prompts thankfulness for the food God has given. My hope is not to put on a show, but to offer a small liturgy to those I love most—one that hopefully points them to Jesus.

Bon appétit!
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​*erynlynum.com

Frank Trimble (D.Ed.Min., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the Executive Director of Family Time Training in Littleton, CO (famtime.com). His desire is to see home discipleship become the norm, rather than the exception, in the lives of believers all over the world. His primary ministry is to his wife, Kristin, and their two wonderful daughters, Ava and Olivia.