I was talking last night with a gal I really enjoy who recently, in her own words, got “kicked in the butt” spiritually.  It was the third or fourth conversation for me in the last week that revolved around the idea that everything we do matters to God. Wheels are turning in my head that haven’t turned in a while… there is a lot of creaking and groaning in going on up there, drowning out all other thoughts and conversations.  It is not entirely comfortable.  I wish some things were better left alone.

Everything we do matters to God.  This is the recurring theme.  I wrote recently about Lauren Winner’s eloquent reminder that “God cares about what we eat.”  I spoke with this friend about how God cares about how we work.  I spoke with another about how God cares about our every word, spoken or not.  Every bite.  Every habit. Every word. Every thought.

I have not been living my life as if this has been the case.

As I was talking with this friend last night, God kept impressing upon me the word Holy.  I knew it was not just for her.  And I knew he would make me speak it out loud to us both, which is beyond annoying.  She laughed, as I knew she would, and my wheels started turning faster, creaking louder, working harder.

Holy.

Webster’s Dictionary defines Holy as “Set apart to the service or worship of God; hallowed; sacred; reserved from profane or common use.”  Set apart.  Reserved from profane or common use.  *Choke*

It goes on to read, “Spiritually whole or sound; of unimpaired innocence and virtue; free from sinful affections; pure in heart; irreproachable, guiltless, acceptable to God.”

*Gulp*

I am reminded of a verse, which I promptly look up.  I find it in Peter’s first chapter of his first letter:

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Be holy, because I am holy.

I don’t know how to eat in a way that is holy.  Sacred.  Set apart to the service or worship of God, reserved from profane or common use.  Free from sinful affections.  Pure in heart.  Acceptable to God.

But we’re going to go there.

We’re going to explore what it means to consecrate our appetites.  Our bodies.  Our workouts.  Our obsessions.

And we’re going to do it together, if you want to come along.

Holy.  Set apart.

Sacred.

Are you ready?

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