The King's Best

What is it that makes your life shine like a light? What is that one thing that just sets you apart from the rest of the world? If you have Christ in your life, then it's Him that just shines through you that should set you apart. However, we have spent so much time engulfed in this world that we look and act just like everyone else.

Is this the King's best?

I think the bigger question is, which king am I following?

I love the story of Daniel. In the very first chapter of Daniel, he and his friends are faced with living for their God or living for the king. These four, fine looking fellas, were ripped from their homes and subjected to brainwashing from the Chaldeans (vs. 3-4). They were given the king's "choice foods" and wine (vs. 5).

Isn't that what I have been given? I live in a constant state of feasting. I live in one of the richest countries in the world. I am always eating what I have been told is "the best!" I take at face value that I am eating as "good for me." I am so spoiled with "the best," that I never stop to look at what I am eating...at all. In fact, I rarely stop at all. I shove it in without a second thought about whether or not this is God's best for me.

Why should I? I've already been told that it is the best.......by.........??? .....who?

If you know me, you know that I read every label of everything that I put on my body, but I will turn a blind eye to something that I am about to ingest because I want it.

That is not God's best for me.

Daniel and his friends made up their minds to turn from the king's best and focus all of their attention and devotion to what God wanted from them. How easy would it be for them to have given in to all that the king had to offer them? I mean, he was the king! He had access to anything that they could want! What a temptation!

That is a level of self control that is only accessible through the power of God.

Put a doughnut in front of me? GONE. Put a carrot in front of me? ....well, probably gone, too. BUT, given the choice, knowing that the carrot would be much better for me and the doughnut is a waste, I will go with the want over the need every time.

That is why I look like the rest of the world. I have allowed my body and my mind to be trained by media and other people instead of God's best. My body aches like the rest of the world. I can't climb stairs without being winded. I can't run and play with my kids. I take very little joy in what comes fresh from the ground that God provides, but I take great joy in a candy bar.

I want to be like Daniel. Strength in self control and turning away foods that I know will not honor God. I want to honor God by taking care of this body that He gave me so that I can better live for His kingdom and live healthy so that I can go where He needs me to go.

In the end, Daniel and his friends were stronger and healthier than all of those that ate from the king's "choice food." Wow. They looked better and were a living testimony of God's best (vs. 8-16), and because of his steadfast dedication to God's best, Daniel rose in Favor.

God's best.

....yeah, I'll take that.

Today I resolve to pray over my food choices and ask God if this is His best choice for me.
Will you resolve to do this with me?