(This is part 2 of “What Women Need.” If you’d like to read Part 1, “Roots”, go to https://leanintojesus.com/what-women-need-roots/.)
WHAT WOMEN NEED: FOOD
Does sugar tempt you?
The Bible doesn’t say this, but surely the fruit Eve ate in the garden was coated in sugar—maybe the white, powdered kind! What else could have made that fruit so appealing? Perhaps we can blame Eve for our sugar cravings!
When we develop the habit of grabbing something quick to satisfy our hunger, sugary snacks often end up in our grocery carts. Sugar triggers our brain’s feel-good chemicals, making us crave more and more. We don’t need to be brilliant scientists to understand how addictive sugar can be. When sugar becomes a regular part of our diets, it can wreak havoc on our physical health.
Likewise, when our spirits are hungry, it’s easy to reach for something quick to satisfy us. We often tune in to a short podcast, read a blog like this one, or go for our favorite devotional book. We want a word, a quick fix, something that gives us an instant, feel-good feeling. Short snippets can be helpful, but making them our whole diet can leave us spiritually malnourished. What truly satisfies us most is a good, hearty meal—one we can linger over, savor, and enjoy. We need Jesus, the Bread of Life, sitting with us as we meditate on a hefty helping of God’s Word. Feasting on His food satisfies us more than honey from the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:10)
Devouring God’s Word is addictive. The more we read it and wait for the Spirit to speak to our hearts, the more we desire it! When Scripture becomes our primary source of food, it strengthens our spiritual health. I love the prophet Jeremiah’s heart when he says, “But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” (Jeremiah 20:9 NLT)
The Word of God teaches us, convicts us, and helps us see who we really are. “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)
There’s an old saying, “you are what you eat.” Slowly digesting chunks of Scripture one bite at a time gradually transforms who we are. That’s when Jesus’ love infuses our cells, replacing selfishness. It’s a slow process, but there’s another old saying, “Slow and steady wins the race.” Our aim should be to become like Jesus when He said, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” (John 4:34 NLT)
Something supernatural happens as we become more like Jesus—His desires become our desires. I guess that’s how Eve messed up. She wanted the knowledge of good and evil so she could carve out her own path in the world. Her selfish desire broke through the only restraint God set in the garden. As a result, life became difficult, and Paradise was lost. However, our transformed desires see God’s restraints as guardrails that enable us to love others selflessly.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)
Are you hungry? God’s Word is good food. Next week, we will investigate another need that is close to every woman’s heart. Stay tuned.
