Be careful what you pray for. . . .

And say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?” ’ ” But Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!’ Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?” And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” (Numbers 11:18–23)

Just after Christmas I prayed asking the Lord to help me lose some weight. Shortly after that, I became ill and didn’t feel like eating for days on end. This affected my sweet tooth also, and I didn’t even want the 59 chocolates that had been gifted to me. Of course I lost weight. Also, a month off sweets seemed to kill that addiction. I’ve laughed and told my friends to be careful what they pray for…

The people of Israel liked the food they had in Egypt, even though they were in bondage there. When they whined about missing that food and were sick of eating simple manna, God gave them the meat they craved to the point of being sick of it.

I’m thinking of the parallel to Christian life. Those who follow Jesus sometimes get caught up in wanting stuff that does not fit with our profession of faith or the principles of living as God’s family. It might be an obsession to collect stuff, from salt shakers to luxury cars. It might be having the best and latest stereo or computer equipment. It could be a hobby or a sport. Not that these things are sinful (certainly eating meat is not necessarily a sin) but if they draw me or any of God’s people away from faith or away what God wants for us, it is a problem. He may correct it in a surprising manner!

Over-eating, whether it is sweets or just too much food,  is not good for my health. God desires to bless me with good health and has done so for many years. Bad habits in that or any other issue is not from Him.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24)

If I am filled with the Spirit, not filled with a pile of “I-wants” then God is at work in me and His life shows up. No self-control reveals that I have put Him aside and living as if my desires are more important that His will. Not only that, the other ‘fruit’ is missing, including love, joy, and peace.

Jesus, it bothers me when I see a brother or sister in Christ moping or suffering or complaining, as if God has forgotten them even though the opposite is usually the explanation. Selfishness can rob me from Your goodness. You can overcome that and sometimes do it by letting me have my way only to find out that it is not at all going to be a blessing. I thank You that You know exactly how to deal with my fleshy ways so that I don’t crave anything but being in a right relationship with You.