The Malnourished and Obese.

21

Apr

Let’s look at the definition of these two words:

malnourished: mal·nour·ished (māl-nûr’ĭsht, -nŭr’-)
adj.
Affected by improper nutrition or an insufficient diet.

obese: o·bese (ō-bēs’)
adj.
Extremely fat; very overweight.

Not only are both of these unhealthy, but they can also result in death. You know me well enough to know that I am not just talking about physical undernourishment and obesity — I’m talking spiritual too.

Romans 5:5 (New International Version)
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Romans 8:38-39 (New Living Translation)
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Ephesians 3:18-19 (New Living Translation)
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

His love is undeniable. We, as people, can choose to ignore it and not accept it, but it doesn’t change its undying existence.

I know that a lot of my posts have to do with God’s love, and how vast and unconditional it is, but the truth is that it’s because I struggle with it. It isn’t that I have a hard time seeing that God loves us (me), but I have a hard time accepting it. As I was telling my youth group last night though, this is exactly why I struggle with showing love to people.

No, I’m not one to be mean or rude to people (to or behind their face), but without the Jesus in me, I have a hard time caring. I don’t wish doom or gloom, death or famine, but I tend to have blinders on when I’m not basking in the love of God. As you could imagine, this is problematic — especially because we are instructed to love others.

So here is the deal, just like the lack of certain nutrients can cause a person to become physically malnourished, the lack of God’s love can cause someone to because spiritually malnourished. Now, as you can see from the verses previously stated, God never ceases to love us. He is constantly pouring His love out to us. The problem arises when we refuse that love — for whatever reason. That’s when we become skin and bones.

How much sense does it make for someone who is malnourished to try and nourish other people? Not much, right? How can someone give what they don’t have?

It’s time to hit the other side of the spectrum — obesity. Physical obesity can be caused by consuming too many calories, without burning any. In the same way, spiritual obesity can be caused by filling ourselves with God’s love, and not giving it out to other people.

When you think obese, does “happy and helpful” come to mind? What comes to my mind is added difficulties and a lack of endurance.  It just becomes a burden. In the same way, spiritual obesity will slow you down and settle as an extra weight on your shoulders.

So, as you can see, whether malnourished or obese, you are just as unhealthy either way. Until we (talking to myself too), learn how to receive God’s love AND give His love, then we are quickly sinking. How can we be efficient and truly successful any other way?

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