Ra-tio-nal-ize/ 1. To make (something irrational) appear rational or reasonable. 2. To provide a natural explanation of (as a myth). 3. To justify (as one's behavior or weaknesses) esp to oneself. 4. To find plausible but untrue reasons for conduct -
Today is Day 2 of the fast for me, but it turns out that my church - Lifepoint - doesn't start corporately fasting until Thursday, Jan. 13th. Between the Facebook messages and planning to fast with other friends during this time, I got the date wrong. I decided to start yesterday anyway. Here's why:
I went nuts. When I realized I didn't have to give up my coffee, chocolate, pastry habit....all sorts of happy joyful feelings flooded my being. But this isn't about food, it's about me and God. You see, I have a problem (not just pastry related).
I've become a rationalizer. My morning prayer time includes prayers like this,
"Dear God. Thank you for today. Give me the energy to do what I need to do, the strength of Christ and excellence in all areas so that I may reflect your glory to others."
Then I have another cup of coffee
and another
and later, a bit of chocolate (for the antioxidents)
and later, dessert (just a little something sweet)
Then I have a caffeine and sugar induced crash. Fatigue sets in and I get cranky with people.....people I love and people God loves. And I haven't done the exercising I'd promised myself I'd do.
Neither have I reflected excellence or God's glory. When I drag my sorry self up the stairs to bed, I marvel at the weakness of my leg muscles.
So I started the fast yesterday as an act of submission to God, so that I can cooperate with Him as he answers the prayers I've been praying. I need purging of my sin and I'm not just being hard on myself - it's my gluttonous sin:
"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. " James 1:13-15
This is good for you, if you want to fast but have been making excuses of your own. It means you still have time to get to the grocery store before you change your mind:)
Later today, I'll be posting a recipe for my mother-in-law's amazing hummus.
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