You knew that I was going to write ‘feed your face’, didn’t you? Fooled you! But, to be honest, I’d been doing too much face-feeding. This became crystal clear when the nurse in my doctor’s office blurted out my digital number. Had I won? Only if I were bowling! Otherwise, not the best reading I’ve ever had. In between office visits, I cut out snacks at night. Most, at least. Consistently. Eat better and eat less. Forget the pretzels and ice cream. Again, mostly. Mainly. While you’re at it, forget all the fun in life!

The result? Yes, a better reading on that cattle scale! The nurse made no comment, but I drew her attention to my feat with fewer pounds on my feet! She made nary a comment, this sober-looking Nurse Party-Pooper. However, she may have known what was coming. As in the holidays, which would be right around the corner. My know-it-all nurse knew it all, after all! Pounds back and a few extra for good measure. Maybe not so good? Diet time arrives again? Maybe. Maybe not.

Let me recommend that you not go on a low-calorie diet when it comes to your Bible. As in slimming down, reading a measly couple of verses or two daily, weekly, weather-permitting, with nothing better to do. Even worse, none at all.

Dig in. Fatten up on God’s Word. Eat away like there’s no tomorrow. Pig out, so to speak. No restrictions. Oh, maybe not becoming obsessive, as in reading all the time. Night and day. Without stop. That’s not what I mean. You know that.

In Luke 8, Jesus tells about how a tiny lamp on a table illuminates a small Israeli home. I own one of those itsy-bitsy lamps, which was gifted to me by a dear friend who participated in an archaeological dig in Israel. This lamp holds only a minimal amount of oil along with a short wick, providing light for a few hours at night. However, it was sufficient for the average household.

Jesus says that His followers are to be like that lamp. Don’t have to be big shots. Fame is not required. Just who you are–‘this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!’. Burning bright for Jesus with a passion to live for God, while helping others, especially to see and know our Lord.

Here’s more good advice about a diet full of God’s Word–‘Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away’ (Luke 8:18). Sobering words about being careful with what we listen to, what fills our minds. Are we focusing on godly things? Spending time hearing God’s wisdom, you-know-where? Jesus says we’re to ‘take care’… ‘to hear’…’ to take away’ (use it or lose it). Our Lord pulls no punches.

For it takes commitment to study your Bible, being systematic and organized. A holy habit. Feed on it as if you’re starving for spiritual nourishment. Quickly, you’ll notice that the more you absorb God’s Word, that you’ll crave to learn even more—to know Him and to follow Him. A never-ending hunger in this life. To sit at His table every day. And to feast away!

Well, it’s time to let our light shine. But only if we have oil in our lamps with a wick to light. Only if we have something to share. Only if we’re serious about feeding on our Bibles. Only then. Up for it? Worth giving it a try? Let’s see what happens!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for feeding me so generously from your Word, the Bible. Amen.