If You Love Me...

I watched the documentary Forks Over Knives this past weekend. The basic conclusion of the documentary is that animal foods are detrimental to the human body. My family is mostly vegetarian and I have read The China Study, so a lot of the information was familiar.

The data is solid and compelling. I believe it. So why did I enjoy chicken and sour cream along with my beans, salsa, rice and lettuce tonight? Why did I just eat a mini Hershey's bar?

Because I like the way chicken and sour cream taste. And yes, I even like milk chocolate.

You see, the crux of this issue isn't really about what I eat. It's about why I eat what I eat. And it's about my sin.

Yes, my sin.

You see, every time I've tried to change to a healthier diet, it's been for vain, selfish reasons. That's why it's never stuck. I've been trying to deny my flesh for fleshly motives, and a house divided cannot stand.

But the real reason I should eat healthy foods has to do with me. The real reason is that if I want to serve Jesus with my body, I need to take care of it. And if I really believe that a vegan diet is the healthiest diet, then I should be vegan.

Simple, right? Uh, no. I kinda drool at the thought of bacon, chicken tenders dipped in ranch dressing, and moose tracks ice cream. So I give in to the temptation on a regular basis.


"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him that is sin." ~ James 4:17

Ouch. How long have I known the right thing to do but not done it? How incredibly pitiful is my self-control! But it gets worse.

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." ~ John 14:15

I say I want to serve Christ wholeheartedly. But how can I expect to do great things for Him if I can't deny myself the ice cream cone, or the chicken tenders with ranch? How horribly selfish and shallow of me to place my own temporal pleasure over the importance of serving the One who ransomed me from the very pits of Hell.

[Edit] I am not trying to say it is sinful to eat an animal-based diet. Look at the last five words of James 4:17- "For him that is sin." If the Lord has not convicted you about your diet, then by all means exercise your sanctified common sense and Christian liberty. :)

Now I know Jesus never said, "Thou shalt not eat animals." In fact, Jesus Himself ate animals.

But that's not the point. The point is that in this day and age, the healthiest possible diet is animal-free, and very low in sugar, refined flours, and oil.

As a Christ-follower and as an athlete, don't I have a responsibility to eat healthy? Yes.  But I now realize I can't do this on my own.

My friend Sarah has agreed to be my accountability partner. Starting this Sunday she and I will eat completely vegan until Thanksgiving- that's 10 days. It's not yet set in stone that I'll stay vegan, but I think the best way to see if it is reasonable is to give it a try. By God's grace, we will not fail!

Shortcomings

Have you ever read something that perfectly expresses the jumbled thoughts and feelings that you haven’t been able to articulate?

I read a prayer in The Valley of Vision a few days ago that resonated so deeply it left me speechless, even thought-less for a few moments. 


Even as I read it now I am convicted and humbled. It exposes the sin in my heart that I hadn't seen. It reminds me of the beauty of grace and the solid hope of the Gospel.

I pray that God will use these mere human words to stir your soul.  

Shortcomings

O Living God,

I  bless Thee

      that I see the worst of my heart as well as the best of it,

      that I can sorrow for those sins that carry me from Thee,

      that it is Thy deep and dear mercy to threaten punishment 

      so that I may return, pray, live.

My sin is to look on my faults and be discouraged,

   or to look on my good and be puffed up.

I fall short of thy glory every day by spending

     hours unprofitably,

   by thinking that the things I do are good,

     when they are not done to Thy end,

     nor spring from the rules of Thy Word.

My sin is to fear what never will be;

I forget to submit to Thy will, and fail to be quiet there.

But Scripture teaches me that Thy active will

   reveals a steadfast purpose on my behalf,

   and this quietens my soul,

   and makes me love Thee.

Keep me always in the understanding

   that saints mourn more for sin than other men,

   for when they see how great is Thy wrath against sin,

   and how Christ’s death alone pacifies that wrath,

   that makes them mourn the more.

Help me to see that although I am in the wilderness

   it is not all briars and barrenness.

I have bread from heaven, streams from the rock,

   light by day, fire by night,

   Thy dwelling place and Thy mercy seat.

I am sometimes discouraged by the way,

   but though winding and trying it is safe and short;

Death dismays me, but my great high priest

   stands in its waters,

   and will open me a passage,

   and beyond is a better country.

While I live let my life be exemplary,

When I die may my end be peace.