After yesterday’s devotional, we need something a bit more cheerful. With that in mind, I take you back to June 28th and a National Day Calendar celebration that resonates with all of us. It was National Foodie Day!
The word “foodie” has been in the American vocabulary much longer than I imagined. However, the meaning has experienced some controversial transformation over the years.
“According to Eater, the term originated in 1980, when it was used by Gael Greene in New York Magazine. At this time, food was often portrayed in the media as gourmet and exclusive, according to The Guardian. Therefore, the new word brought excitement and accessibility to eating and discussing food, allowing everyone to participate no matter their “age, sex, income and social class.”
“While “foodie” was initially an inviting alternative to words like “gastronome” or “epicure,” often perceived as snobby or “elitist,” its connotation has since evolved. Now, many people feel that people who call themselves “foodies” do not truly appreciate the nuances of cuisine. Instead, they eat in a performative manner for clout. Eating Real Food highlights how the Urban Dictionary definition of the word changed in the mid-2010s, with one entry defining it as “a dumbed-down term used by corporate marketing forces to infantilize and increase consumerism.” As Eater explained, “Somewhere along the way, foodie changed from meaning someone who ascribed importance to the food they ate, to just someone who likes eating.”
“Despite the fact that many food professionals cringe at the word, the definition of “foodie,” per Cambridge Dictionary, is “a person who loves food and is very interested in different types of food.”1
Based on the number of social media posts involving food, I would guess that a lot of
people consider themselves foodies.
Do you have an adventurous palate? I enjoy trying new things and there isn’t much that I wouldn’t try. My philosophy is, “What doesn’t kill you just makes you stronger.” When we were in Honduras, we prayed a bit differently as we were instructed to eat whatever was put in front of us so as not to offend. The prayer went something like this. “Lord, I’m willing to PUT it down but you’re going to have to KEEP it down!”
God obviously knew how much we would enjoy food, so He likened His Word to food. Just read through these passages.
1 Peter 2:2-3 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (3) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Ezekiel 3:1-3 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. (2) So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. (3) And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy 
bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.
Many other passages could be cited that show the connection between Scripture and food. The question we have to answer is this: Are we hungry? If so, all we need to do is open God’s Word and start feasting.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
1https://www.mashed.com/916390/the-truth-about-the-word-foodie/
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