Time To Change/ Time To Choose

 

I woke up last night with so many thoughts racing in my head.  The words that kept coming to me were habits, need for change, strongholds.  I thought God was digging deeper into these new dietary changes my husband and I have been making in our 50+ journey through life.  But I soon realized it was something more.

My husband and I recently decided to change our eating habits.  It wasn't just because of the weight gain on both our parts but also our understanding of the fact that we need to get serious about caring for our health.  We recently came back from vacation, where they had an all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner and yet, we did not indulge (as we have before).  Apparently, God was stirring a discipline and conviction in both of us individually.  The thing about buffets is that you have the choice of what to eat (that which is good for you and that which is not).  We enjoyed eating healthier so much that we decided to continue the habit when we returned.  When we went grocery shopping, we opted to get lean protein, fruits and vegetables.  And we agreed that any "junk food" we have in the freezer would be finished and not replenished.  We also agreed that eating out needs to be minimized.  I personally went as far as downloading a fitness app that I once had and implemented a daily exercise routine.  Do you know what really gets me mad?  I know that better eating habits is good for me and works at keeping me healthy, the exercise routine was yielding results and yet I always found myself reverting back to old habits of eating, laziness and excuses.  I allow bad eating habits to creep in.  I can't allow myself to be deceived to do as I want and not reap the consequences.  The struggle for discipline is real and so is the ability to be successful.   

So why did God wake me up?  To talk about my eating and exercise habits that need to change?  It is much deeper than that.  In John 4:34 Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish His work."  When we come to Christ "we become a new person.  The old life is gone!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) Food is nourishment and what we place in our bodies will determine our health.  And so, it is in our walk with God.  What we take in, how we live, will determine our spiritual health or lack thereof.

In the picture captioned above you see two arrows pointing in opposite directions.  One arrow leads in the direction of your habits that are contrary to Christian living.  The other arrow is leading to the changes, the direction you need to go to live an honorable Christian life.   You have a choice, but you can't go in both directions at the same time.  And it's time to choose.  You have to identify those habits that are keeping you from being spiritually healthy.  We are called to live righteous lives not a life of conforming to the world.  Yes, we have a sinful nature, but we also have the Holy Spirit who is willing to lead us and guide us into all truth.  I will not list the habits that need to be broken.  That is something you need to wholeheartedly speak to God about.  But I can share this, you cannot feed on the Word of God and also continue in detrimental habits and be a healthy Christian.  If you are serious about wanting change, you will be serious about talking with God.  And what's more, His Word says "Let your hand help me because I have chosen [to follow] your guiding principles." (Psalm 119:173) God is willing to help you.  Are you willing to change?

I pray that your "food" will prove nourishing to live the life God has called you to and you will not revert back to old habits, laziness and excuses.  God is able to sustain you through all trials of life.  Remember, you have a choice and the power of God to sustain you.  But also know that you are not fooling anyone but yourself if you say you are living for God and clinging to old habits.  "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap." Galatians 6:7

The Sinful Nature  

"The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. " Galatians 5:17-25