choices

Standing at the butcher’s counter at Publix, I couldn’t help but notice what was in his cart.

Not because I was judging him.  No,  I was envious.  He had donuts.  and fried chicken.

I on the other hand had butternut squash and lettuce and avocado and grapes and brussel sprouts.

Over the past 22 days I’ve been following the Whole Thirty regimen, eating fruits, veggies, healthy fats like coconut oil and olive oil, meats, eggs and nuts.  Its a short list of “okay” foods.  Truly, it has been good for me because it has been similar to pushing a reset button after a long holiday season of rich and decadent eating.

I’ve done pretty well overall, following the rules and sticking to the diet.  My whole digestive system has been thanking me for it.  I have energy.  I’m sleeping well.

Do you know what I did?

I looked at his cart and almost salivated… and then I almost broke into tears.    Because I had a choice to make.  and it was all I could do to keep from spinning my cart around and heading for the bakery.

Now.  I don’t want you to think that I believe those things are bad.  Donuts and fried chicken are not evil. But I like that kind of food so much that I end up letting it rule me.  I completely ignore the produce drawers in my refrigerator and gobble down the unhealthy foods.  and junk food takes over my mind and my stomach.

Did I mention that I love bread?  and brownies.

Over the past few weeks I’ve come to realize something.  For the most part, the more I fill up on the healthy foods – the fruits, the veggies – the better they taste and the more I desire them.  The more I eat of those kinds of foods, the more I am satisfied and the less I want donuts and fried chicken.

But, I have to choose it.

Friends, this is not just similar to, but an actual part of living a life unto the Lord.  I know that I belong to Him.  And because I know this – what I do in word and in deed should be done to His glory.

What brings glory to Him is when I place Him in control of every area of my life.

Not movies, or other’s opinions, or food, or style trends and the latest must have clothes, not money or the love of it, not my reputation – none of it should be controlling me- only the Holy Spirit.

So.  What does that mean for my food intake?  It means that because He said my body, as a believer, is a temple of the Holy Spirit, I should care for it the best that I can.  He is living in me, and I am a walking testament of His grace.  I think He draws and convicts each one individually in different ways so that we know how to live.  I know that He has spoken to me so clearly over the last 22 days, and he has given me the strength to continue making the right choices.

Here is what else I have learned.  Good food leads to eating more good food.  And satisfaction with good food leads away from the desires for unhealthy food; it is the same in other areas of my life.  The less crazy, sinful, worldly stuff I watch on tv, the less I want it.  The more I fill my mind with God’s Word, the more I am satisfied with Him, and less fulfilled with all of the junk this world offers.

My new reality:  its not about what food I choose, or what book I choose, or what music I choose.  It is actually about choosing Jesus.  Choosing more of Him.  And as I do that – His voice is louder, His way is obvious, and ALL of my other choices become more clear; all along the way He is making me able, by the power of His Spirit.

Wait.  I think I began learning this lesson before – but, I’m relearning more of it.  because I’m human.  because I’m a sinner.  How grateful I am that the Holy Spirit isn’t showing signs of giving up on me!