I Corinthians 9:27
Sometimes, when I feel guilty about my lack of personal diet discipline, I put on my fat pants. They are way too big and give the illusion that I’ve lost tons of weight—even though I haven’t.
When I wear my fat pants, people think that I’m disciplined. They have no clue that I have the self control of a dog with a meaty bone and I haven’t lost an ounce. However, only the people who don’t know me are fooled by my charade.
In my heart, I know what I need to do and the discipline it takes to do it. Being overweight didn’t happen over night. Without planning and self motivation, I’ll never be victorious over the real problem—I’ll just wear fat pants.
As our lives get more and more busy, the first place we give slack to is our relationship with the Lord. Like gaining weight, we don’t mean for it to happen, we certainly don’t plan to lose our passion for the things of God!
Nobody gets up one morning and says, “Starting today, I’m going to eat more and exercise less until I’m so fat I can’t fit into my pants.” Nobody ever says, “Starting today, I’m going to stop going to church, stop reading my Bible, stop praying and get as far away from God as I can get.” But, without a plan and the discipline to follow that plan; both are easy to do!
Living healthy is a discipline, a commitment. Living the Christ life is also a discipline. The discipline of Bible study, prayer and fellowship at church are all self motivated. It is a decision that I must make, that I must make a plan for doing and then follow through. If not, whether I intended to or not, I’m a member of The Church of the Fat Pants.
I Corinthians 9:27 (NIV) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Prayer: Father God, help me to be strengthened by your Word, encouraged by your Spirit and to always realize the importance of fellowship. Thank you for my church, thank you for the strength and encouragement I find there. And please help me to help others when they need encouragement; we are a family. Amen.