Conviction and Apetite

I have been feeling strongly in my ruach that I should discuss my experience following the dietary commandments.

I want to preface this by saying that I recently had a realization that changed my life significantly. I will touch more on that at the end.

The feeling found me in my last year last semester of my undergraduate degree (Spring 2022). I had 20 scheduled credit hours that semester and I had to pass all of them to graduate. No wiggle room. No room to even think about wiggling. *sigh*

Prayers carried me that semester. The Lord was good to me. I remember reading about the dietary restrictions in Leviticus. The use of the word abomination felt really strong in the passage. So I prayed about it. Nothing about my diet changed, but I felt like it probably should.

Finals week came whipping into view mid-April. At the time, I got some bad news from the doctor, and by the end of May, I’d passed my classes, but lost around 30lbs from the stress.

I couldn’t understand. I’d been health-conscious, but I’d known something didn’t feel right. My mother says I should get a second opinion. So I did. The second doctor saw nothing wrong. Literally no issues, but the damage to my spirit had been done. I had worried myself sick.

By July my spirit was exhausted from the whole ordeal. I was wrestling with my convictions on the dietary laws. I was running after clarity and it seemed I was catching up.

Pork was the first to go. The other dietary cuts followed. Shrimp, crab, lobster, octopus, squid, crawfish, catfish, etc.

My heart led the charge that put my mind in opposition to my stomach. My mind wouldn’t let my body keep down the sausage biscuits.

The more I prayed about it Yah was making me aware I was tired of being sick. If eating a Biblical diet could help me do a little better, then why shouldn’t I at least try? I was sick less. Started to feel better and it gave me peace of mind over my health… mostly.

To the best of my ability and knowledge, I kept the dietary laws until 2 weeks ago. I saw a video online about “natural flavors”. Prayed went about my day. I bought some fruit popsicles….

Mostly plant-based.

Mostly?

A fruit popsicle?

Two and two came together. In seconds, I was googling natural flavors I couldn’t believe what creatures go into natural flavoring.

Even 4 years later, I am still humbled by the things I thought I was getting right. As a I pursue how to best serve the Father, my mind is constantly turning away from what I once thought was right.

My love of the father killed my appetite for foods I grew up eating. I didn’t understand clearly then, but now I know it was for the sake of my health. I have watched the fruits of that decision pour on to others who watch my plate. Even when they haven’t given up the same foods it’s encouraged them to reach for vegetables. Or at least question their own plates that they pray over.

Even if Yah doesn’t convict you about food. Don’t shy from the Holy Spirit’s promptings. It’s has often saved lives.