But here's what happens. I tell myself, "I deserve an extra scoop because I'm so tired" or "I'll add twice as many Oreos because I need to reward myself for an great job today". Have any of you ever done this? At first, it's not so harmless. But sometimes, I give myself rewards and pick-me-ups rather than turning to God for a pick-me-up. I think to myself, "I deserve this" when there is really nothing that I deserve. I turn to food or other things to satisfy me, rather than trusting that I am enough and I am satisfied in Christ. It's ridiculous. And if you don't get this, then you'll think I'm even more of a lunatic than you already do. But can I suggest that maybe you do it too?
- You are annoyed with everyone around you so you tune them out to play a few minutes (or couple hours) of Flappy Bird, or Clash of Clans, or that weird tile game.
- You post a selfie on Instagram to see how many likes you can get, so you will feel better about yourself.
- You post a rant on Twitter just because you need to "get something off your chest".
If you've done this, you get me.
Is your worth determined by how many likes you have on Instagram or how good that chocolate ice cream tastes? Is your ability to handle rough situations only solvable through turning to social media as an outlet? Then maybe you (like me) need to learn to die to self.
I love the quote from this article: "To die to self is to set aside what we want in this moment and focus instead on loving God with everything we’ve got and valuing others as highly as we value ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). This moves us away from self-centeredness and closer to becoming openhearted followers of Christ who care deeply for others. It’s much easier to pay attention to the concerns, interests and needs of people (Philippians 2:3-4) when our own interests no longer consume us." There is an open space in your life from what you gave up for Lent - what are you going to fill it with? If you can't play that game on your phone, send a friend an encouraging text. If you aren't watching t.v., spend extra time in the Word. If you gave up complaining, take up a gratitude journal to remember all you have to be thankful for. If we let go of what satisfies us temporarily, God will fill us with something so much better.
We fill our lives with lots of other things rather than leaning in to the gifts that God has for us. He wants to form you, shape you, reward you, and delight in you. The things we rely on are a crutch that keeps us from relying on God alone for all of our securities and needs. "[Overindulgence] turns food into our comfort in times of trouble and distress. We seek refuge in food at times when God should be our refuge. When this happens, we not only distort God’s good gifts, we replace God with them. - Teddy Ray (from this amazing article at http://teddyray.com/skinny-glutton/)
gluttony
turns food into our comfort in times of trouble and distress. We seek
refuge in food at times when God should be our refuge. When this
happens, we not only distort God’s good gifts, we replace God with them.
- See more at: http://teddyray.com/skinny-glutton/#sthash.CCBENvBt.dpuf
gluttony
turns food into our comfort in times of trouble and distress. We seek
refuge in food at times when God should be our refuge. When this
happens, we not only distort God’s good gifts, we replace God with them.
- See more at: http://teddyray.com/skinny-glutton/#sthash.CCBENvBt.dpuf
For me, that's what Lent is all about. It creates a habit where I stop reaching for stuff myself, and reach for God. It's an opportunity to pause from delighting in stuff, and delight in God. You know that verse, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). I'm guessing that doesn't mean that when I delight in God, he will give me a bowl of ice cream. But it does mean that I'll be satisfied and know HIS delight in me when I turn to him.
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