Moderation

Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food. 1 Samuel 14:24

Last Sunday at church, I eyed the box of donuts, thinking about how good they looked, knowing how good they’d taste. I could have just a half. I didn’t start though, because I knew once I started that I wouldn’t stop at half. I’d have 12 halves. So, for me, it was better if I just drank my coffee.

Being an all-or-nothing kind of person, I’m bad at moderation. I don’t train for a 5K. I train for a marathon. I don’t build a snowman. I build a snow leopard. This was my problem when it came to alcohol. I could never stop at just one, I had to have five. There are a lot of people in the world who can drink. I’m simply not one of them. So, I don’t. At all. This works for me when it comes to chemicals. I can’t control my use and my use is self-destructive, so I remain abstinent. Abstinence, however, doesn’t work when it comes to food. I can go the rest of my life without using mind-altering chemicals. I cannot however, go on living without eating anything. Life requires nourishment and so, I must eat something. Sigh. I must learn moderation.

Moderation is the lesson of today’s passage. In it, the Israelites routed the Philistines and chased them after the battle. In pursuit, King Saul made a rash vow that no Israelite could eat until they accomplished their destruction of the Philistines. Armies are made of men though, and men run on food. So, later, when the Israelites destroyed the Philistines and took their livestock, they were so hungry that they slaughtered and ate the animals raw – which was strictly forbidden by God. The Israelites obeyed Saul, but in doing so, made themselves so hungry that they later disobeyed God. Had they practiced moderation, they would have been well-nourished, and they would not have sinned by eating the blood of an uncooked animal.

Asceticism – abstinence from all worldly pleasures – may appear holy (King Saul thought it was) but God made the world for us to enjoy, within his boundaries. Sex (within marriage) is intended to be pleasurable. Food (without gluttony) is meant to be enjoyed. There are those things that I cannot enjoy. I should never again use opioids for pleasure. I do however have to eat, and I can learn to appreciate God’s creation, within his boundaries. Is this something I can enjoy without hurting myself? Is this from God? Or will it injure me and my relationship with him? I’m not good at moderation, but if I daily work at it, I can learn.