Too Much of a Good Thing and the Temple of God . . .

Recently, people in Painesville, Ohio were astonished when they turned on their tap water to get a drink. Instead of clear water filling their glasses ... the water was pink! And for someone like me who is not really a pink fan, it must have been quite the surprise! It all happened due to an Ohio Water Company equipment malfunction. A chemical feeder designed to release potassium permanganate (used for taste and odor control), poured too much of the chemical into the water, causing the pink color. The water company got right on the problem and by the next day, the water was back to normal!

This shows us that even a good thing - if it is used too much - can be too much! I think all of us should give this some thought, especially when it comes to the care of our physical bodies. Yes, that's right - I said "the care of our physical bodies." Why is this important? I will let the Apostle Paul speak to this. He writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). One way we honor God with our bodies is to take care of them. And among other things that means not eating too much! I say this because gluttony just may be the most "acceptable" sin in American Christianity. Food is good (often TOO good!). We need it to survive and thrive. But, as the citizens of Painesville, Ohio found out - too much of a good thing is ... after all, TOO MUCH! So the next time you are tempted to go for seconds on that delicious meal or order dessert to top off that wonderful entree at Olive Garden, ask yourself, "Does God's temple really need this additional food? Or is it TOO MUCH?"

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj