“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Gal. 5:22-26)
There is an old Native American tale of an elder and a young boy. In it the elder tells the young boy how each of us has two wolves inside of ourselves. One wolf is vicious and violent. It is full of fear, hatred, anger, and destruction. The other wolf, however, is kind and peaceful. It is full of love, joy, gentleness, and goodness. These two wolves the elder explains are forever at war with each other inside of us. The boy then asks the elder which wolf will win this war. The elder smiles and says, “the one you feed.”
I don’t know about you then, but I have decided to eat healthy from now on when it comes to my heart, soul, and mind. I know which wolf I want to win. I know which way I want to live. I know what I want to share with others. I no longer want to eat on unhealthy thoughts, negative feelings, and pessimistic ideas. I no longer want to sicken my stomach on anger, fear, or hate. I want rather to feast daily on thoughts of joy, feelings of love, and ideas given from God. I want rather to dine happily on peace, goodness, laughter, and delight with everyone I meet.
I know that this may take a lot of effort. I am sure that a lot of unhealthy thoughts will still try to sneak onto my plate and into my heart, soul, and mind each day. I know, however, that the more I try the more I will succeed. You can’t overeat when it comes to choosing love, joy, and oneness with God.
I hope that you eat healthy today as well. I hope that you feed the right wolf today and for the rest of your life. I hope that you rejoice in meal after meal of love, joy, peace, happiness, goodness and delight. I hope that you pull up a chair at God’s banquet table and invite everyone you meet to join in the feast.
Joseph J. Mazzella
joecool@wirefire.com