Please Pass the Bread

In her book entitled "Understanding Poverty", Ruby Payne talks about the habits of people who are experiencing generational poverty.  Generational poverty is when family stays in poverty for successive generations.  The book doesn't attempt to fix the problem of poverty, but rather come to an understanding of why people who find themselves in generational poverty make the choices that they do.  One of things that Payne talks about is the fact that families who are in generational poverty are more likely to consume white bread.  Studies have even shown that when restaurants donate leftover bread to homeless shelters, individuals will bypass the breads that are whole grain and choose the white bread.  I wonder why that is. From the nutritional standpoint, everyone knows that whole grain breads are better for you.  From the flavor standpoint, whole grains provide more depth.    It's a better choice overall, but still people who find themselves in poverty continue to choose the less favorable product. It makes me wonder....and of course, it makes me think about God.
Without God, we are in spiritual poverty.  We settle for white bread when there is something so much better for us.  God has placed an abundance feast on the table for us and we are insistent on staying in the kitchen, trying to be in control, and settle for white bread.  I think part of the problem is that white bread isn't "bad".  While there are many studies that show the nutritional detriments of white bread, one can't truthfully say,"If you eat this piece of bread, you'll die".  A thought that has been repeated over and over in my heart and mind the past few weeks is that sometimes you have to give up the good in order to experience the great.  White bread is good.  Throw it in the toaster, add some butter and jam, and it can be somewhat satisfying.  But.....it's just good.  It's not great.  It won't give you the nutrients that your body needs.  Exchange that for a nutty whole grain product and your body will thank you. There are things in our lives that are "good".  They aren't those things that are obvious sins, but rather those things that we settle for instead of experiencing what God considers "great".  Think about your life.  Take a good look at the things that are white bread....the things that are good....the things that reveal spiritual poverty.  Go to God and trade in those things that are good for things that are great.  Dare to be spiritually rich.