Giving It Up

Our Western society is not known for self-denial.  We have fast-food palaces practically everywhere, with 'dollar menus' set up to drain the last resources from our wallets.  We're not accustomed to having to wait for food, or for that matter, anything else -- some people even watch movies and TV on their mobile phones instead of returning home or going to the cinema! 

Youthworker.com posted an article on July 26 called "Going Techless" that told the story of a girl who went without her cellphone, radio, television and computer for a week (you can watch the full news segment, on NickNews, here.)  At first she drove everyone crazy, then later in the week began talking instead of texting, and "began cooking, singing and playing the guitar." Who knew? 

Jesus reminded us of the perils of our "stuff" when he said in Luke 12:15 “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”  I looked that verse up in the Greek -- it says "all greed."  Wow, all?  Every type? What if I really, really like chocolate?  Or books, even theology books?  Or food?  The Boss was telling us to not let anything get the upper hand on us that turns out to be a subtle form of outright idolatry -- having something else that is more important than God. 


The Bible describes 'fasting' as a way to tell ourselves "no."  Fasting typically refers to going without food, but truly, it could refer to anything that we use that threatens to become too important to us.  People sometimes fast from television, a certain food, or some other part of life; and instead of moping around the house in despair from not having it, they use that extra time and energy to serve God instead of themselves.  


But it takes courage and dedication to give up, even for awhile, something we are so tied to.  It's a sacrifice!  But those sacrifices can teach us a lot about ourselves:  what's most important to us, and how much time we waste on what isn't really important.  How about it?  Is there something you would give up for God?  What would it be?  Why? For how long?  When will you start?  What will you do with the extra energy you get?  It's worth asking yourself the questions, then getting started!