Today is a day of feasting. I heard on the radio, most of us will consume
a day’s worth of calories at one seating.
Some will partake of as many as 5000 calories, more than 2 days’ worth
for some. It depends on the day, but I
am certain that these are conservative estimates of what I hope to
accomplish. This is one day of the year,
I do not intend to fast or feel guilt over what I eat.
I have, however, been attempting
to fast in a sense over the last 40 days.
I have been trying to say “no” more often to achieve my “greater yes,”
which is to turn to God more often.
I love comfort and food is a form
of comfort to me. Inadvertently, I was
studying what it meant to truly comfort someone, according to Scripture; and I
found there is a Greek word for comfort (as a noun) that bothers me
somewhat. The Greek word is anesis, from which we get our word “anesthesiology.”
Why should this bother me? Ask me later after your Thanksgiving
feast. How do you feel after consuming
all of that incredible food? I would
imagine, like me you will feel somewhat anesthetized.
One day a year is not what I
would consider a problem, but it is the fact that day after day I may be taking
this anesthesia to deal with the pain or discomfort or stress of the day, rather
than turning to the true Comforter for what I need. And it isn’t just food, there are other
things or activities that I may be turning to instead of the Holy Spirit that
is available to me.
What does this have to do with
raisin cakes? In Hosea 3:1, God condemns
Israel for their worship of other gods and their love for raisin cakes. Raisin cakes were regarded as luxuries and
used as delicacies. The attraction of
idol worship was that it involved a form of sensuality that was appealing to
the people of Israel. Raisin cakes were
a part of that particular practice. God
was condemning their turning to other gods and, in particular to those that
involved something so sensuous. I can
only imagine how many calories were consumed at one of their worship services.
Today, take a pass. Tomorrow, or maybe after the leftovers are
all consumed, consider…”How do I anesthetize (comfort) myself?” Jesus left us the Comforter, the paraklete to comfort us and strengthen
us for the work He has given us to do.
Let’s take advantage of this.
Godspeed, Happy Thanksgiving
Phil
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