You Fat Pastor

For some months now I have been convicted about my weight. I have learned that those who poorly regulate what goes into their mouths also poorly regulate the words that come out of them. Self-control is one of the Spirit’s fruit and eating too much suggests a lack of control and a deficit of holiness. I met with a pastor last month who, for reasons best known to himself, desired his photograph be taken with me. He kindly sent me it afterwards, but I was unhappy with that image, which showed a portly belly and stocky frame. “Cameras always make you look fatter”, someone cooed. “So do unrestricted diets”, I replied.

I do not wish to become one of the bores who is always droning on about their weight and the latest faddish methods of getting slim. It basically boils down to eating less, and that is what I have been doing. I certainly feel hungry when I wake and retire, though the scales are slowly and begrudgingly conceding the effectiveness of the policy. To stifle the pangs, I have been drinking much, which is presumably bad news for any developing kidney stones whose careers have been set back a few months.

Our Thursday morning Bible studies have considered the book of Exodus, including the account of God’s miraculous provision of quail and manna. I suspect manna was so versatile, nutritious and tasty that it sufficed as the basic foodstuff for decades. Yet the Hebrews were to collect only what they needed; anything beyond would turn mouldy and worm ridden. That ruled out the existence of fat Israelites, as well as teaching them culinary prudence and self-control, in addition to developing their trust in God’s provision.

Plentiful food in the West is to be much preferred to the empty shelves of communism or the seasonal plenitude of the developing world. It does, however, create a spiritual famine beyond our swollen, wobbling bellies. Furthermore, if a pastor cannot demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in his own life, then he ought not to be preaching to others.

For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. Proverbs 23:21

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