Are you a “dieting” Christian?

Now, I ask that question today, for there are many of us, including myself, that definitely need to shed a few unwanted pounds; however, I am not talking about the physical need to lose weight.

I know there is study after study that tells us that we are becoming an obese and sluggish nation; that our children are in the worst physical condition in history and that we are losing the “battle of the bulge”….and although that is sad and troubling news, that is not what I want us to think about today.

Rather, as Christians, as people of faith that profess to know the Lord and are called according to His purpose, are we on a diet in our relationship with Him. As I look all around me, I see so many people who have, little by little, cut back on the time and energy they spend in seeking to grow their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Last Sunday was Easter Sunday….a precious day of celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord…and our church was packed! But, why is our church not packed like that EVERY SUNDAY….is it not the same risen Lord that we celebrate? I believe it is because we are on a diet.

We go to church on Sunday if we remember to set our alarm clock…if we’re not too tired…if we didn’t overdo it on Saturday or work too hard last week…or if we just can’t find something better to do. We spend less time reading and studying our bible and that Sunday school thing, well, that’s just for the kids. We pray when we REALLY need something or when a catastrophe strikes that threatens to bring our world crashing down around our ears. We hardly ever share our faith or speak to others about what the Lord has done for us…and our spiritual walk barely leaves a footprint in the sands of our lives.

We have become lean and spiritually malnourished and we can’t seem to understand why all that we once held dear and sacred is dissipating right before our eyes. We should be better equipped, better prepared for what lies ahead; but, we have lost muscle mass due to our diet of less of Jesus and more of this world. We need to turn in our Bibles to a passage in Hebrews 5: 12-14 and read,

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have the powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

It is time for all of us to lay down the destructive habits of “dieting” when it comes to knowing Christ….we need to get back to the solid food of biblical teaching and use our powers of discernment to steer clear of evil and seek the face of God in all of our dealings. We need to build muscle as we pray earnestly, fervently and without ceasing for God’s protection, provision and pronouncement….it is time to stand up and be counted for God!!!!!

Are you ready to make that commitment to Him today….commit to follow where He leads….live as He lived…give as He gave…are you ready to taste and see that Lord is GOOD? I pray that today you will be FILLED with Jesus in all you say and do!

Blessed by my Redeemer and the Bread of Life,

WPQ