Soda Pop

"Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance." Isaiah 55: 2

The New York State government in its efforts to make some money (and allegedly improve the health of its residents) have proposed a somewhat controversial sugar tax. Under the new proposal, all soda pop (non-diet) and sugary beverages will be taxed 1 cent for every ounce. Bureaucrats believe that this sugar tax will net the state a cool 400-450 million dollars a year. This same proposal came up last year as well but was voted down, though all signs this year point to its passing. Many people are outraged over this tax, especially those who make a living off of the production, distribution and selling of these drinks, and those who love to drink them.

To me, it's much ado about nothing. I guess it doesn't bother me at all, because I don't drink these drinks - but it did get me to thinking...it's interesting that Soda has absolutely no nutritional value for us. In fact, Soda has a negative effect on our health - it actually hurts us. Nutritionally speaking, God designed us to consume certain things in order to survive and function - Soda is not one of those things. Whenever we buy and consume a Soda, we are inevitably spending our money on that which does not ultimately satisfy. You have to have a really good marketing department to create and sell something to people that has no redeeming value and actually hurts you.

Our addiction to purchasing and consuming Soda even though it does not satisfy us is really a good metaphor for our spiritual consumption as well.

We spend a lot of time and effort chasing after this and that to make us feel important, validated, fulfilled, and satisfied. We spend a lot of money on leisure time, big screen TV's, cars and boats, investments, you name it. We spend a lot of time on self actualization, relationships, climbing the corporate ladder, making as much money as we can. All of these pursuits are done with the hope of finding satisfaction in life.

The reality is that they will not...they will always leave you wanting more. In fact, much like Soda Pop they can actually do you harm. The Devil and his marketing department have done an excellent job of creating and selling something to people that has no redeeming value and actually hurts you.

Our only real satisfaction comes through Jesus Christ - knowing, glorifying and loving Him. Says Jesus to you today, "Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance."

Be God's, Scott