grace given me

Wrapping up a month of Daniel fasting, I am struck once again by the breakthroughs I experienced. In case you missed my earlier post, Do something… fast, I wrote about how ‘in February we fast.’ My husband and I eat a restricted diet referred to as the Daniel fast. It is essentially a vegan diet that also avoids leavened breads, processed foods, and refined carbs. As it is each year, it was both challenging and rewarding. We hit highs and lows throughout the month, but overall it was a well-fought beautiful reset. It brought forth a renewed focus on intentionality – in practicing presence with God, in restoring lost discipline, in savoring what I eat and drink, and in being more mindful about health – body, mind and spirit. We feel great because we have fueled our bodies with ‘good stuff.’

As I was reflecting on this last month’s diet, I came across Mark 7:15 that says, “It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.” Defilement is a strong word but have you ever considered how you don’t have to teach people to sin? To lie (‘It’s just a little white lie.”), to be selfish (“That’s mine.”), to be greedy (“I deserve more.”), to be envious (“Why does he get that?”), to be lustful (“I shouldn’t want that, but I do.”). We come of it naturally and what we consume doesn’t necessarily help. The study Bible I use notes, “While being concerned about what we put into our bodies is a good, healthy practice, very few people are as stringent about what they put into their minds through what they read, watch or hear.” Oh wow, I hadn’t thought about that. Many of us are inadvertently being trained up by the world as we ingest what it feeds us.

God cautions against us being overly influenced by the world. In Romans 12:2 he says, “Do not be conformed to this world…” He knows the world is slick, ready to deceive and distress us if we are not diligent. Here is how I can be conformed before I have even noticed:

I am watching a TV show and the husband says of his wife, “When she walks into a room, she still takes my breath away.” I think what a nice line. Then I think it’s so nice I want it said about me. Then I think, my husband doesn’t say that about me. Now I am disgruntled with my husband and wondering if I am enough. Ridiculous I know when I take a step back, but I encourage you to capture your own thoughts. Have you ever caught yourself watching a house design show where at first you are mesmerized but then you start feeling dissatisfied with your own home? How about when you are watching wealthy people enjoying the finest things in life and you suddenly find yourself brainstorming how you might ‘do anything’ to have it? It’s not just TV. Have you ever read something on social media and fitfully thought, “is that right?” I recently got worked up over a quote that had me feeling less than and my life feeling less than when I heard a whisper: is that scripture? Nope, just another human with a cleverly wrapped opinion.

I am by no means saying to give up TV or social media or music, but just calling you and me to be on alert. The world wants to serve us ‘junk food,’ hoping we will bite. 

But God wants to give us a rich and satisfying life. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Joshua 1:8 says, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” It took me a long time to start reading the Bible. It was too long, too intimidating, too time consuming, too boring. Boy was I wrong. Ok maybe not about the long part, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. There are approachable translations (New Living Testament, The Message – just to name a couple) and study versions with “CliffsNotes” type explanations on the bottom of every page. And it is action-packed, filled with scandal and intrigue. If you have never read the Bible you will be shocked. It is more gripping than the Avengers and more risqué than the Kardashians. But better than that, when we read it, we exchange the world’s thoughts for his, our defilement for his goodness.

Lord, I so love that you are the bread of life. You are the ‘good stuff’ and you long to fill us up. I pray your word comes alive for each of us. I pray that someone reading this post will feel the Holy Spirit nudging them to dive in. That they will wonder why they have been waiting. That they will think why not try you God. I know that as we reach out, you grab us. Feed our hungry souls. For you promise, “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.” Amen.