Thursday, May 6, 2010

Are You In It For The Long Haul?????

Don't you just hate being on a diet?  I mean, just when you're doing so good SOMEBODY brings donuts to work!  Or, you're so proud of yourself for saying "no" to that extra helping and then, bam, you're standing in front of the refrigerator shoving food in your mouth like there's no tomorrow.  Why couldn't I have been born one of the "skinny girls"??????????

If you've ever been on a diet, you know that it builds character in a HURRY.  Making a good choice for breakfast won't cut it.  Nope, you've got to make good choices 3 meals a day, seven days a week, for weeks at a time to lose a noticeable amount of weight.  Passing up biscuits and gravy for breakfast (my own personal weakness) doesn't help, if you're going to eat two platefuls of food for lunch, believe me, I know from experience.  Drinking a Diet Coke while eating a package of Oreo cookies does not cancel the calories.  Trust me, I know of which I speak.

Problem is, humans have a hard time sticking to anything for very long.  Diets, New Year's Resolutions, they all fall by the wayside at the first sign of temptation.  Diets and New Year's Resolutions require a resolve to stick with them NO MATTER WHAT.  And that resolve is T-O-U-G-H to maintain.  TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH!!!!!!  Especially when you are contantly bombarded with the sights, smells and sounds of food.

So how about in our Christian life??  Do we have the same problem?  Do we approach a life lived for Him the same way we do our diet?  "Well, I'll do my best, but, I just don't know how long I can keep this up."  Do we think "if nobody sees me it isn't a sin."  Like we tell ourselves, "if nobody sees me eat this candy bar then it doesn't count."  "If I don't get caught, then no harm was done."  Or how about this one "well, I don't commit the BIG sins, so I'm "O.K."

A calorie is a calorie is a calorie, whether you ate it at lunch or at supper, by yourself or in front of your entire family and friends.  And sin is sin whether you committed murder, adultery or told a lie.  In God's eyes, sin is sin.  And sin separates us from God.  Have we gotten so accustomed to sinning, that we don't even feel guilty anymore?  Oh, God help us to NEVER be that far from You.  May we never separate ourselves from that still, small voice whispering "don't do that, that is not My will."

So today, examine your heart as I examine mine.  Is it REALLY my heart's desire to live for Him for the long haul?  Good days and bad?  On days where you feel so close to Him, and the days where you wonder if He even remembers you?  On the days you are feeling all churchy and religious, and on the days where you hope none of your church friends heard what you said, or saw where you just went?  I'm just being real.

It takes a serious, permanent lifestyle adjustment to lose weight and keep it off.  Believe me, I know.  And it takes a serious, permanent lifestyle adjustment to be an effective Christian that God can use for His glory.  It isn't just a Sunday morning thing.  It isn't just when you are around other Christians.  It is constant.  Because just like our little internal calorie counter can't be fooled, neither can God.  Because He sees all we do, and He hears all we say, and He knows all we think.

Let's be like the Apostle Paul and "press on."  Not just once in awhile.  Ladies, we can do this thing and live this life for Him.  But it takes a resolve to be in it for the long haul.  When we stumble, we ask for forgiveness and we get right back to living for Him.  Let's do it together, shall we?

7 comments:

  1. excellent message!

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  2. Just this morning, I was praying for the Lord to help me and my family to grow more and more like Jesus. We need the spiritual exercise but the only way to maintain it is by His strength, not ours. Then, we can go for more miles if we have Him walking with us so close...Great thought provoking post. God bless and Happy Mother's Day sister.

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  3. Great message! Also very timely for me as I've begun a healthy lifestyle change this week. The comparisons made me think :) -Tammy

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  4. I agree totally. And the diets can be crazy-tough! But I'm definitely got my ride hitched for the long haul with the Lord. Thanks for the good words.

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  5. Six years ago I had a cholesterol problem and was determined to change without meds. I was told it was impossible. I make it a lifestyle choice and not a diet. We all know diets don't work. In the process of lowering my cholesterol I dropped 25 pounds...nice surprise...in three months over summer break. That was six years ago and the weight is still off...then some.

    Same in my Christian walk, it's not a Sunday thing or a special holiday thing. Walkin' the walk is a lifestyle everyday thing. Great post girl....have a Happy Mother's Day.

    Ya'll have a fantastic day filled with warm sunny blessings!!!

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  6. Amen to the food/diet/fighting 3 meals a day/rollercoaster lifestyle/ etcetcetc....How true how true!! AND how wonderful to compare it to our Christian walk...it should be a constant and straight walk, huh? I loved your post and will reread again (and again). Have a great Momma's day weekend with your family....God bless ...

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  7. I enjoyed peeking around your blog. Love you farm land in your banner. We live on a farm also but it isn't worked like yours.

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