I wasted a few moments of idle time recently trying to convince the people I work with that the perfect human body shape may look a lot like mine; that is, slightly plump. In fact, my [internet] research clearly shows that people who are a bit overweight live longer and, quite possibly, happier lives.
Don’t believe me? Run a google search on “Do fat people live longer?” and you’ll find the same evidence I did. People who are a bit overweight, but not obese, live on average 7 years longer than “thin” people.
The reasons why slightly fat people live longer seems to be unclear, but evidence tends to indicate that a little extra buildup of fat serves our bodies well when we’re sick or experiencing injury. And, I’m just guessing here, but I’d be willing to bet slightly fat people live happier lives because they get to eat all that good food.
The Madison Avenue commercial makers, the Vegetable Growers of America, the people at Nordic Track, the USA Gym Owners Association, and yes, even my wife, want us all to think “thin is always in.” I say to them: Behold! These important scientific studies prove them all wrong and establish that eating a bit more of all that good food may actually be a very, very, very good thing.
The truth is, I may indeed already have a near perfect human body!
I was wondering if the same principles apply to us as spiritual beings? In John 6:35 Christ tells us, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (NLT)
Would we not be healthier if we feasted on the bread of life, taking in all God wants to impart to us and building up a spiritual fat reserve? Then, when lean, difficult spiritual times come our way in the form of trials and troubles, we will be better able to stay spiritually healthy.
Would we not be happier in difficult spiritual seasons if we built up reserves?
I say eat up spiritually! God has provided a great feast of grace and love for his people. Let’s indulge! Fat is where it’s at!
Contributor: Ron Shirey, D.Th.
