Spiritual Cheeseburgers - A Day Away With God

I often follow the same pattern for a “day away with God" – worship, prayer, reading, reflection. You know, all the spiritual practices that fill the tank. But one day God chose to meet me in a totally unexpected way.

I sensed that 2 Corinthians 3:17 was going to be my meditation for the day. So, I decided to take a walk to the river near the church. Along the way I meditated on these words: where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 

At the river I came across a secluded little section and sat down on a rock. The area reminded me of the elephant graveyard from the Lion King, thankfully without all the bones. There were branches scattered around, it was muddy and smelled of stale water. It was the perfect metaphor for my spiritual life: technically connected to the flow of water but nonetheless lifeless.  

I took out my Bible and began to read 2 Corinthians. I wanted to hear the context of the verse I had been meditating on. I began to pray and listen for ways I was not stepping into the freedom God offers. 

Here is where the story of my day retreat gets a little unorthodox. On the walk back to the church I heard (not audibly but nonetheless abundantly clear) an odd response to my prayer: Go eat a cheeseburger. 

Of course, I questioned this reply. You want me to do what? I’m trying to enjoy a spiritual retreat here! Taste and see that the Lord is good. I know the sheep are supposed to know the Shepherd’s voice, but this was really messing with my head.  

Allow me to provide some context. My husband and I had recently decided to start eating a more plant-based diet. So, though we still eat meat occasionally, a cheeseburger is pretty much out of the question. Red meat, dairy and bread make cheeseburgers a three-strikes and you’re out kind of meal. But I love them. 

Additionally, I had been struggling with some anxiety that was manifesting itself as tightness in my chest every evening for a couple of weeks. I could feel whatever was causing the anxiety building and the night before this retreat I finally broke down and cried. Being the mother of an infant while working and going to seminary is hard and I was dealing with the guilt of these constantly shifting priorities.

God knew exactly what I needed that day. I was a worn-out mom, a tired pastor and an eager seminary student all rolled into one. God knew I not only needed a day away but a friend to sit with over lunch. My spiritual retreat ended at Applebee’s and even though the seat across from me was empty, I know I wasn’t alone.

Friends, wherever you are in life God’s promise is still true: I will never leave you, I will never abandon you.