Oatmeal Religion

  We are, without a doubt, living in a culture that is becoming more and more health conscious. For as long as I can remember, I have always been above normal size (overweight). Combined with this fact, my love of cooked red meat instantly raises fears of cholesterol problems.

  Last fall a friend shared with me that he had been eating a bowl of oatmeal  each day to help reduce his cholesterol. I had heard reports of studies that showed oatmeal would help reduce a person's cholesterol level. This sounded like an easy and painless way to improve my health. When I was a lot younger I  would eat oatmeal as my breakfast cereal. My memories of a bowl of oatmeal were good, even that I enjoyed the taste. Thus, I added a small bowl to my daily morning regimen.

  Quicker than I could have ever imagined, this daily bowl of oatmeal became boring and a chore to be endured. No variance in flavor. Always the same texture. Torture just to think of tomorrow morning's bowl.

  Has your church life ever seemed this way? Something you endure from week to week because it is supposed to be good for you. No anticipation of anything new from the Holy Spirit. Just another bowl of oatmeal. You hope it is doing inside of you that which is expected, but there is no outward appearance of change. 

  Now you are expecting me to offer great words of wisdom and Scriptural quotes as a solution to this dilemma. I can't. I don't know all the answers. It might be due to too many variables or outside influences, but I don't feel that I can give sound advice on correcting this "oatmeal religion".

  I will offer these ideas. As with correcting our cholesterol problems, we must change our feeding habits. We must only put into our bodies, hearts and minds those things that are good for us. Are you feeding your heart and mind on His Holy Word? An integral part of changing our feeding habits is changing where we obtain our food. Fast food restaurants, all-you-can-eat buffets and steak houses are difficult places to obtain low cholesterol food. Are you feeding at a Bible teaching, Holy Spirit filled church? Exercise is a part of every healthy choice  for our bodies. Are you exercising by living out what you are being taught from feeding on God's Word and attending a Bible teaching, Spirit filled church?

Tony Kelley