Our first morning in Iligan City was December 17th, so I prepared for my day by meditating on Proverbs 17. I had a hard time getting past the first verse because it leapt from the page as I began my reading.
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.
Proverbs 17:1
As I read those words I thought of the fact that this is God’s Word. God doesn’t lie. God knows exactly how we are designed and what our bodies, minds, souls, and spirits need.
We clearly need food; in fact, it is one of our most basic needs. However, with these 16 words, God shows us a greater need than food. It is more important for our well being that we be in right relationship with God and with others than it is that we have much food.
A remix of Proverbs 17:1 could be this:
Abundant life is found in having rich relationships and living at peace with one another. Although you need food, you will never be satisfied by the richest of foods or by having an abundance of food unless you also have healthy relationships with others.
Most of my life I have sought comfort in food. This has led to a lifelong battle with weight gain. But true comfort comes only from the Holy Spirit and my first priority must be my relationship with God. Jesus told us this when He said the greatest commandment was loving God. But, coupled with this – in fact it is inseparable from it – is the command to love others as we love ourselves. As we are reconciled to, and love, God, we will also be reconciled to, and love, others.
At the end of the day it really is all about right relationship!