A few months ago I came across an article in the New York Times about sugar & its dangers. The article talked about sugar’s toxicity and was based on Robert Lustig’s lecture “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” available on youtube.
I came away from that article convinced that I was simply consuming too much sugar in my diet and not enough fiber. I walked away from that article (and video) with these four application points:
1. Get rid of all sugared liquids in the house – only water and milk
2. Eat your carbohydrate with fiber
3. Wait 20 minutes for second portions
4. Match your screen time minute-for-minute with physical activity (totally not gonna happen).
It’s funny because that anti-sugar conviction lasted for only a few weeks. A month later, I read an article about how sitting is bad for your health. Yes, this infographic from Medical Billing and Coding illustrated to me just how unhealthy for me it is to sit in my chair for long hours. Upon reading that, I told myself I needed to get more exercise. More exercise, less sugar.
And then, just like before, a month later I’d completely forgotten about my resolution and was back to munching crisps, McDonalds, and enjoying long days sitting in my chair.
One day it dawned on me that I was not as young and slender as I once was. I would be out of breath on the second flight of stairs. Chasing my son around left me a broken man. So I decided to change my diet. Exercise more. And generally try and keep myself more active.
I’m guessing that quite a few of us have had similar epiphanies. The need to exercise. Starting to bike to work, joining a gym, or cutting fatty foods out of our diets. At some point we begin to realise that we are responsible for our bodies.
But what about the upkeep of our souls? What about the nurturing of our spirit? What is the condition of your heart and soul?
Worshipping God is the great essential of fitness. If you have not been worshiping, … when you get to work you will not only be useless yourself, but a tremendous hindrance to those who are associated with you.
-Oswald Chambers
We greatly concern ourselves with our physical health, personal fitness, and personal hygiene, and yet frequently neglect the fact that we are people of spiritual significance. I can’t imagine what aroma we must create to God. If I don’t shower for a week I’d smell pretty bad. And yet, I can go a week covered in sin, never stopping to find healing and forgiveness in Christ.
I’m realising that getting my soul in shape requires self-discipline. Worship. Prayer. Communion. Confession. Community. Unless I come to Jesus each day, I will find my soul and spirit flabby, tired, and out of shape. And if my spirit is tired, how then will I face the trials and temptations each day?
Let us be that fragrant aroma of worship that God desires. Let our lives be such a fragrant offering. Let our daily worship, devotion, prayer, and thanksgiving play its part in our continual sanctification through Jesus.
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These were some thoughts from this week’s message on Worship.
*I actually took that quote from “How to Worship Jesus Christ” by Joseph S. Carrol. A great book on the heart, the purpose, and the practicals of worship. Available in paper or on the Kindle, it explains much better what I tried to say in this week’s message.