Saturday, February 27, 2010

It is, Indeed, Gluttony.

I grew up with the idea that Gluttony (a deadly sin) was what vikings participated in, eating too much, puking, and eating again. Where did we get this idea? Who started this? Later, in a slightly less graphic description I was told that it was eating until you were sick. Well, folks, guess what? If you have diabetes you are sick. If you have heart disease you are sick. If you have an unfortunate gene pool then these things may not be the result of gluttony. But if you have spent your life eating crap and not moving then you have been committing gluttony and sloth. OK, not just you. Me. In my case, it's a little about greed, too. Sometimes I have plenty of healthy food in my kitchen, but I don't want to eat it. I want to eat something with plenty of fat, salt, and sugar. Which, considering that I spent more money and the healthy food goes to waste, means that I'm not a good steward of my resources. These thoughts have triggered an aha moment. What do I want to do most in my life? Honor God and live a pure and holy life. Suddenly my eating habits, my spending habits, and my activity level take on an elevated level of importance. So, for today, and for many days to come, I'm saying this over to myself:
"Keep praying, keep planing, keep reading and trying new recipes. Keep going to yoga, keep moving. Listen to more music and allow it to move you. Less TV and movies. Spring clean from top to bottom. Keep motivational messages in front of you. Plan for rewards. But most of all, pray. Keep it about not being greedy, not being gluttonous, not being ruled by appetites, having self-control, being a good steward of my resources, not owing anyone anything but the debt of love. And pray."