Change My Diet, Change My Life

In the past several weeks, I’ve become increasingly bothered by my lack of discipline and self-control, especially when it comes to food.  Time to make choices and changes…

At my church (The Summit in Wylie, Texas), we’ve gone through a lot of changes together in the past several years – our community has been transformed by our dedication to creating a culture of honor, integrity and service.  As a result, we seen many lives changed spiritually, minds and hearts transformed by the renewing of the Spirit, and by the evident testimony of Jesus working in and through each one of us.  We have been learning to put words into action, allowing faith, grace and provision to flow among and around us.

 And that’s all fantastic and wonderful – up to a certain point.  As Pastor Randy said during second service last week, if we don’t take care of our bodies, we limit what we are able to accomplish, whether its what we can do, or how long we can do it.  We are tools in God’s hand, but our choices regarding our physical bodies can limit our ability to function.  

In the past several weeks, I’ve become increasingly bothered by my lack of discipline and self-control, especially when it comes to food.  For a long time, I’ve eaten as a means of comfort, trying to stay full as a way to feel good somehow.  I used to make a joke about how I used to eat at Taco Bell all the time (I worked there for some years during and after high school) and how I carried the proof in front of me. 

That’s not funny anymore, and to be honest, the fact I made a joke out of it shows the depth of my denial regarding the very real, very negative impact my eating habits have had on me these past twenty years.  My disregard for my body helped me avoid learning discipline and self-control and this behavior spilled over into other areas of my life as well.

Two things:

1. My life is not my own – it belongs to God
2. How I live my life is mine to decide - but, see point #1

I like how The Message Bible interprets Paul’s observations in 1 Corinthians 6:13…

“You know the old saying, “First you eat to live, and then you live to eat”? Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that’s no excuse for stuffing your body with food or indulging it with sex… Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body!”

I choose

• to live my life completely at His direction
• to exercise self-control in all my appetites
• to discipline myself to make healthy choices
• to live out my days running a better race

I Corinthians 9:26-27 (Message)

“I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. “