I am starting to feel human again and actually spent a couple hours reading today. I am still plugging away on the book Discipline: The Glad Surrender. Another statement in the book grabbed my attention as I was reading:
"A body needs food. Food is a question of discipline for us who live in very rich, very civilized, very self-indulgent countries. For those who have not the vast array of choices we have, food is a fundamental matter of subsistence and not a major hindrance to holiness." (page 46) I thought about how living in a free abundant country means more responsibility to do right and walk in obedience. A more simpler life where foods are less readily available, it is easier to be obedient when it comes to gluttony. Luke 12:48b came to mind - "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
Rarely have I heard a pastor speak from the pulpit concerning gluttony. In fact, I am pretty sure I have only heard one of them preach the truth in love concerning this matter and it was a few years ago. I remember the message making me feel very uncomfortable but I blew it off as soon as we left the building that day. Gluttony is most definitely one of the most widely accepted sins. It is like there is a silent consent among Christians to just accept it but never bring it up for fear of stepping on someone's toes and making them feel guilty. Perhaps feeling guilty is exactly what a person given to gluttony needs to make her really think about how undisciplined she is. Yes, I am speaking of myself. Again, there are two choices. I can either please God and let Him have control of my heart, soul, and mind and by doing so, walk in obedience with my whole heart, soul, and mind OR I can let the devil win by throwing my arms up and make excuses like "but you don't know how it is for someone like me....You have never been fat!" One excuse I have caught myself making for myself is being quick to judge a thin person for their faults to get the focus off of me. How absurd is that? I have no idea how the Lord may be dealing with them in their heart and I have no business pointing the finger at anyone. That is God's business to deal with them.
O To Be Like Thee
written by Thomas Obediah Chisholm (1866-1960)
Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Refrain:
Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.
Oh! to be like Thee, lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.
Oh! to be like Thee, Lord, I am coming,
Now to receive th’ anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing,
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.
Oh! to be like Thee, while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love,
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.
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