Freedom to Choose: Finding Truth in Chocolate Cake
I can.
Because Jesus set me free, I am free.
Period.
Hard stop.
But just because I can, doesn’t mean I should.
#QuoteoftheDay
Just because
you can
doesn’t mean
you should.
– Kathryn Lang
Chocolate Cake for Breakfast
I can eat chocolate cake for breakfast, but that doesn’t mean I should.
I can waste away the weekend stream shows (and, sorry to say it, SPORTS still fall into that category – yep, I went there), but that doesn’t mean I should.
I can do what I want to do and not go where God leads me, but that probably isn’t going to be the best choice I’ve ever made.
And even though I know what God has designed and planned is better for me, how often do I choose my way?
Anything outside of God’s design is sin.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a big sin in your mind or a little sin (and trust me, I know a sin is a sin).
Sin ALWAYS hinders a relationship with God and Jesus Christ.
ALWAYS.
No wiggle room.
It might not be pleasant, it wasn’t for me, but being uncomfortable doesn’t change God’s Truth.
If I am choosing to be “free” in my decisions so I satisfy my flesh over God’s design, IT IS A SIN!
I needed to hear that today.
It All Started with THEY
I remember the first time I ever dieted. I was in Junior High and the people around me weren’t shaped like me. My brother was dating a girl that was stealth. I was all curves . . . I mean for 14 I was super curvy . . .
So I dieted.
I didn’t take it to God. Nobody suggested I take it to God. The magazines had printed plans and I put them to work.
Today, I am still struggling with the same situation – only I’ve made choices that have added way too much fluff to my curves.
Now the magazines are telling me to accept my fluff, to enjoy my fluff, to dress my fluff to its maxamine benefits.
And I was this close to ordering those drops everyone is raving about.
Something in the back of my mind kept me from having peace in it.
Pro Tip: Peace provides guidance. God pours His peace over us to strengthen us when we have to step into our little bit impossible (cause that will cause your belly button to pucker a little). Without peace, it may be time for more prayer.
Shifting My Focus
If God designed me, then God would have the answer.
I’ve been praying for God to show me His way.
“Lord, thank You for helping me to understand Your design for my body and my health. Grow me in Wisdom and Knowledge so that I choose Your better.”
I’ve been praying this prayer daily since March.
The spark of understanding lit up today.
Eating outside of God’s design for ME – not according to what the experts have determined, but for my GOD DESIGNED body – that’s gluttony.
And gluttony is a sin.
And every sin hinders my relationship with God.
I didn’t say it was a fun spark – but it definitely lit me up!
Outside Of My God Design
I had the freedom to choose, and boy-oh-boy, did I.
Choosing gluttony has left me in a fog – I can sort of make out God and maybe I can almost hear Him clearly, but there is a barrier of my own making standing in the way.
I’m free to choose that path.
I’m allowed to live in the fog.
I can continue in this misdirected journey – because if it’s not in God’s Way then it is the wrong way.
But why should I?
Paul writes that all things are lawful for me. I am ABLE to do those things without ETERNAL repercussions. But not all things are expedient for me to choose. Because when I choose anything outside of God’s design, I choose to be under the power of those things.
#ScriptureFocus
All things are lawful for me.
But I CHOOSE
Not to be brought
Under the power of any.
– from 1 Corinthians 6:12
A New Freedom
I stay stuck choosing the same way.
I don’t like where I am. I’ve said it. I’ve prayed it.
BUT choice is the only way out.
I can’t get to where I want to be and stay here.
I can’t move while making the same decisions.
I have to choose to use my freedom to move into my GOD DESIGN.
That doesn’t mean I will be lacking. In truth, God’s purpose and path for me ALWAYS lead to His abundance.
I know that – but my flesh and the confirmations of the world have made it easy to choose the other direction.
I get to choose HIS MORE.
I get to make the choice to LOVE GOD more than I love food.
Even if I want chocolate cake for breakfast now.
Would a spark of encouragement help you make the most of your freedom?
Join me for the Hope & Courage Reset today.
