What's Inside?

 

At the beginning of Summer, I saw a huge display set up in one of the popular stores in my area.

There was definitely a theme going on and that theme was “Summer Fun”. At the heart of this theme was a mascot of sorts adorning all the items on display. Plates, cups, towels, bathing suits, t-shirts, etc..

On every item was a bright pink Flamingo. It was a display that really made you smile as you walked by. For what ever reason the Flamingo has become the international symbol for all things tropical and fun.

Interestingly enough, a group of Flamingos together is called a flamboyance! That sounds like an appropriate description.

They are really incredible creatures even beyond their beautiful pink plumage. They feed by turning their heads upside down to eat, often sleep standing on one leg, and some can live in extreme environments.

There is yet another thing that makes them incredible creatures in addition to all that.

They are not naturally pink!

As a flamingo eats algae and brine shrimp, its body metabolizes the pigments — turning its feathers pink! There are several plants that produce natural red, yellow, or orange pigments, called carotenoids. Carotenoids give carrots their orange color and tomatoes their red. They are also found in the microscopic algae that brine shrimp eat.

So, why in the world am I telling you this information?

Because we are allot like Flamingos.

A great deal of what people see in us, is due to what we eat. I do not mean hot dogs or salads (Although that could start to change your appearance over time.)

I am talking about what we listen to, watch, spend time with.

The adage “You are what you eat” has a deeper meaning here.

What we look at on the internet, read in the privacy of our homes, and watch on TV has an affect on us.

Like the algae it comes into our bodies and is reflected on the outside. If it is healthy and good it will affect what people see on the outside. If it is unhealthy, the same will be true.

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”- Proverbs 23:7

Paul said “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christs behalf, be reconciled to God” – 2 Corinthians 5:20

What is an ambassador? An ambassador conducts the business of the country they represent. Our churches, therefore are embassies of sorts whose main headquarters reside in heaven.

If we are the diplomats representing the embassy of God, it’s important to behave as a diplomat.

Paul gives us some direction on our behavior in Ephesians 4:29

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

Here is the thing. If the things that we are “consuming” contain questionable elements, there is a good chance that we are going to have a very hard time sustaining Paul’s guidance.

Like the pink feathers of the Flamingo, the evidence of what we have “consumed” will come out.

Any health care provider will tell you that no number of vitamins will bring good health to a person who consumes garbage on a regular basis.

When we do not care for our spiritual health and we consume things that hurt us instead of heal us; we cannot achieve the good that God wants for us.

A coach can only do so much for an athlete that will not take care of themselves. They can put them in the race, instruct them and encourage them; but if they do not have the strength to endure, because they have filled themselves with junk food, it is not the coach’s fault.

So, before we get frustrated with God about the things that we are, or are not producing in our lives; I would suggest that we challenge ourselves to examine our diets. What are we spiritually eating? What are we spiritually consuming? What are we spiritually ingesting?

Because there is great truth to the saying “You are what you eat.”

 

-Pastor Patti