Are You What You Eat?
I’ve changed my diet up quite a bit over the past year and a half. It started with eliminating gluten and now I’ve gone completely plant-based. While this has been a positive shift for my body, it’s created some oddly negative reactions from others. I’ve gotten weird looks when I don’t order ‘normal’ food at a restaurant, I’ve received hurtful comments about how my choices in cuisine aren’t ‘real food,’ and I've found people to be strangely judgmental simply because I consume something different than they do. I don’t insist that anyone else eats this way, I don’t pressure anyone to alter their diet, I don’t require folks to make me a separate meal (I’m happy and willing to bring a dish that I can eat and share). This whole thing has been a bizarre realization. It’s like I’ve somehow morphed into another version of myself as a result of selecting a salad over a chicken sandwich.
Curious as to whether or not this was happening to anyone else, I proceeded to have conversations with others whose eating habits are outside of the collective social norm for whatever reason (allergies, intolerances, health concerns, a desire to be more fit, etc.), and they’ve had incredibly similar experiences. It blew my mind. Why would the food we choose to consume have any bearing on who we are as people? I’m actively making a concerted effort to help my body heal, how is this anyone else’s business? The short answer… it’s not! If I was doing something to cause myself harm, by all means, PLEASE jump in and voice your concerns. What I’m doing is the polar opposite of that and no amount of shifty sideways glances or passive-aggressive comments will cause me to veer from this course. And why would anyone want me to?
The Bible tells us to treat our bodies as a temple and to eat and drink to the glory of God. I’m not doing this perfectly, but I’m trying really hard. I think this is a small example of a larger issue, I think people fear “different”. Our world has proven this time and again. Friends, let’s stop scouring each other in order to find all the differences and, instead, start recognizing the beauty and peace that comes with
harmony in the midst of variety. Let’s replace our harsh judgments of others with a heart of kindness, a posture of respect, and an attitude of empathy even if we don’t understand or can’t see ourselves following a similar path. Let’s eat our burgers and beans together in love.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
-1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)-