Scripture Standout: Romans 7:" 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code."
Morning thoughts: Gosh have I been bound by things — cheese puffs, chardonnay, dessert, chocolate, just to name a few. How hysterical that during this Lenten experiment, God has "loosened me" from some of "what bound me" to serve in new ways of the spirit. I got a diagnosis of the sugars on what must have been the first official day of the Do Unto Others Lenten project. In addition to taking something on during Lent, I discovered I would have to also give up many of the things I love — chocolate, carb-y things, cheese puffs and all of their food cousins, distant and otherwise. I was concerned about the wine, too, but apparently that's not a big deal all things considered (thank you, God!). In New York, I threw caution to the wind and knocked back two Cadbury Crunchie bars as a way to say screw you to forfeiting sweets. I LOVE Crunchie bars — I ate them almost daily when I was studying in London during college. Between Crunchie bars and pints, I packed on the fluff, too, while I was there! Wouldn't you know, I came down with a hive-y rash Saturday and Sunday. Darn Crunchi bars. I'm sure they were the culprit. Now I am officially dead to what bound me. Sometimes, in these rare amazing moments of clarity, it is very easy to imagine God as a protective, disciplining father-mother — similar to how he is described in today's Psalm and in Jeremiah. In my case, he's telling me in not-so-subtle ways that I don't need any more sugar. And when, like most kids, I push back and assert my whiney wants he gives me a stern reminder that he is just looking out for my best interest. Like, here — take this rash and go to your room to think about what you've done. And if I do it again, I'm going to get a spanking.
No comments:
Post a Comment