Indulgence

In some instances, I am in full support of indulging in the finer things in life: European chocolate, aromatherapy bath scrubs, hot showers, and cashmere. But then, as I think about it, a lot of times indulgence is at the very root of a lot of my spiritual struggles.

In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul writes: "Everything is permissible--but not everything is beneficial" (10:23)

As I was reading this the other night my initial reaction was "Gah. There is so much truth to this statement, so much conviction."

Then I thought to myself, "What if I checked all of my of my actions against the question: 'is this beneficial'?" I think it would drastically alter the way I live my life.

Obviously, Paul is addressing the issue of free will and the fact that we were created by a God who has given us the freedom to make our own decisions, we are not just characters in some cosmic puppet show, thus, we have the capability to do "everything." And naturally some decisions that we make are good and some are not. But the second part of the verse addresses the real issue of free will, that because we are free to make our own decisions we should not act selfishly or in vain, but should seek to act in a way that benefits those around us. The issue of benefit is the heart behind our actions.

How many times a day do I allow myself to indulge in something that is not at all beneficial to myself, the Lord, or anybody else? The truth is, more often that I can count. Sometimes it comes in the form of stuffing my face with junk, laziness, gossip, sleep, TV, music, putting off my time with the Lord, putting my expectations for the future ahead of the Lord's purpose for me in the present, or wallowing in self doubt and insecurity.

The truth is, that far too often I both knowingly and unknowingly allow myself to indulge physically, emotionally and spiritually in things that have no benefit, and because of that I give the devil a foothold on my heart to create a perceived distance from the Lord and others.

What You Own

1.Put your iPod or whatever mp3 player or music player you use on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Billy Brown

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
The Ballad of Hansberry Brown

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
God's Been Good to Me

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Big Girl (You are Beautiful)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Zoot Suit Riot

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Sparkling Diamonds

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
I've Had the Time of My Life

WHAT IS 2+2?
Happy Every After in Your Eyes

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
A Thousand Miles

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Santa Fe (from Newsies, not Rent)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Do You Love Me?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Hungry Eyes

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Mr. Brightside

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU
Hold Up My Arms

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
No Other Way

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
All My Life (heck yes KC and Jo Jo)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Do You Wanna Dance?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Shake Ya Money Maker

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Popular

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
All Creatures

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Love Heals (So I won't die?)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Back 2 Good

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Because We Can

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Erase

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
My Style

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Collide

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Round Here

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Love is a Many Splendored Thing

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
What You Own



Ok, so out of the ones I have read...my list is my far the lamest. Curse it all when me and the shuffle aren't on the same page!