“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. – Matthew 5:6 ESV
Tiny morsels intended to tempt the taste buds and stimulate the appetite for the full course—that’s the definition of an appetizer. It teases the appetite.
Years ago, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is timing, I began setting out appetizers before big family gatherings. I wanted to make sure no one starved if we had to wait for a late guest arrival or a dish that took longer than expected to cook.
We all enjoyed noshing pre-meal. Then I realized that yummy appetizers can be so tasty and enjoyable that by the time we get to the main course, our bellies are full. And that main course ends up going home in doggy bags to be eaten warmed over. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s not the “chef’s” goal.
So I’ve simplified the appetizers to ensure we still have an appetite for the main course. I want everyone to enjoy the whole meal—not just appetizers.
We sometimes approach our “devotion time” much like a meal that begins with rich, tasty appetizers, leaving no room for the main course.
We consume podcasted “thought for the day”programs, online 1-minute devotions, a daily devotional, or maybe a chapter from a great Christian author, all of which are good and filling, but by the time we get to our Bibles, we’ve lost our appetite.
We’ve filled up on what are intended to be appetizers, leading to the main course. So we scurry through our daily Scripture reading thoughtlessly, or we set it aside altogether because we feel like we’ve gotten our daily dose of spiritual for the day.
As a writer of devotions, I’m certainly not encouraging you to set aside those other things you do—they have value. However, spiritual appetizers are not intended to be the main course.
What I am asking you to do is evaluate your spiritual diet to make sure it is balanced.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! – Psalm 119:103 ESV
Are you getting your primary nutrition directly from God’s Word? Are you taking the time to read intentionally so that you are allowing God’s Holy Spirit to speak, enlighten, and fill you with His Truth?
Enjoy your spiritual appetizers, but leave plenty of room for the main course that God has prepared for you.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. – John 6:35 ESV