Diet

There is not a day that goes by that we are not bombarded by infomercial and publicity about dieting. We are hit at every junction whether it is on television, or a mail out, or through a friend or on a grocery store run. We can choose to ignore it but there is no getting rid of it. We are known as the country who is overfed and undernourished...and companies are posturing for position to push their products to enhance our well being as well as our physical image.

I am sure that there is truth in the adage that we are a society that is overfed and undernourished...and I do also agree that there are eating plans that help us to be healthier..and that is a good thing as long as we do not lose focus on God and end up putting all focus on self. .but there is so much emphasis on the food that it has gotten me to think...the bottom line is who is in charge...who is running the show? Is food controlling me or am I controlling the food?

I am a great starter and I have tried to do that diet thing many times only to slowly revert back to my original state of casual eating. I am not here to give any remarkable ideas as to how to suppress cravings, and develop discipline...and hype up will power, I wish I had some... but what I have discovered is dieting is a mind set. It won't work for someone to tell you to do it...and you can't be doing it for someone else...it has to be something that you yourself have sold out to accomplish for whatever reasons you have have established. It might be for health ...it might be for looks...but they must ultimately be your own reasons. The emphasis is on our ability to take control.

But all of this said...aren't we suppose to, as Christians, to be letting God take control of our lives..all parts of our lives. The diet thing and exercise thing is good for obvious reasons...but far too many times that diet plan becomes the "god" that we are living for...and the emphasis of our lives. Just as in fasting or sacrificing ( even as some do in lent) the purpose is to think of God when are yearning or craving for a particular something....it supposedly helps us to recenter our thoughts towards God and his majesty and the bounty of blessings that he has bestowed upon us...and is a subliminal reminder to pray...and keep praying.

God wants to be our focus no matter where we are or what we are doing. And when we let go of something that temporarily satisfies our cravings...God wants to take that place...and he wants Himself. to become the habit that satisfies our cravings. We tend to substitute all kinds of other things
before we consider God to be the one who can fill us up. .

Please note.... I am not discouraging dieting in any way...I am working towards one now...but this is why I am writing....I have found that I am so focused on what to eat and what not to eat...that I have allowed God's voice to be turned down and mine to be turned up. And I know that though I am trying to adjust my temple status..God surely doesn't want to be left behind in the process..He wants to lead me in the endeavor....and I confess that I have tried to take His lead.

I am encouraging all of us to not let a diet focus take place of a godly focus. When you are working towards a bodily change...ask God to help you maintain a focus on Him all the while...To not be so intent on self and body preservation that we do not allow God and His Godly thoughts and actions to take their rightful position.

When asked "Teacher which is the greatest commandment of the law"...this is how Jesus replied....and it is stated not once but three times...almost word for word..and the word "body" is not in it.

1. Matthew 22:37
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
Matthew 22:36-38 (in Context) Matthew 22 (Whole Chapter)
2. Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
Mark 12:29-31 (in Context) Mark 12 (Whole Chapter)
3. Luke 10:27
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

My thought here is God is more interested in our heart and soul and mind than our body...and that is what we should be most interested in. If we in truth are seeking to love God in the way he has asked....then that is what we need to be focusing on.....Food for heart soul and mind...and let the food for the body be secondary.

Can you imagine the impact of turning all of the dietary posturing for body into dietary posturing for God...for Him to be the essential plan that would be the strengthening agent for our heart mind and soul. Talking about change in a society.But that is just what God has called us to do...to forfeit the cunning waves of this world that pull and push our senses around and change focus....to HIM.

Dear Lord, What a blessing you are to me...each day. I confess that I am so often times sucked into the world's cravings...and I ask that you help me to
focus on you and not be sidetracked by temporary cravings that have no ultimate satisfaction. Amen

Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in...for His glory will shine through.

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