“…man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”                                                                                              Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)

Did you know that in 2011 the USDA replaced the well known Food Pyramid with a new nutritional graphic called My Plate? For 19 years we all relied on the pyramid to guide us to healthy eating. 

Now I would never be able to label each level of the Food Pyramid. I only remember that the things I most liked to eat were a very small part of it. My major food groups of choice are bread, ice cream, and potatoes.

I have always been aware of the benefits of the base of the pyramid … the really good stuff. Yet, somehow over the years I have chosen not to dwell on that. I gravitate to my old favorites.

Reading today’s scripture, I realized my spiritual diet has been a lot like my nutritional one … very heavy in just a few areas with barely a taste of anything else. In my Bible study, I have specific parts I am drawn to over all the others – Galatians, Ephesians, Proverbs – the bread. I consider these the bread, ice cream, and potatoes of my spiritual diet.

By concentrating and relying on these old standbys, I am missing so much more of the good stuff that God has in store for me. He laid it all out in 66 books of the Bible – His Food Pyramid for Christians. Or using today’s term – My Plate. My Plate should be evenly balanced with all of the good stuff offered to me.

Are you like me? Are there sections of the Bible that you drift away from like brussel sprouts? 

Today I challenge you to sample something different. Sink your teeth into a new part of the Bible. 

Try it – you might like it!

As a side note: I discovered brussel sprouts aren’t so bad either. You just have to cook them the right way.