My Pet Elephant: A Link Up in "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith"

There has been an elephant in the room for a long time. I have tried and tried, over the years, to dispatch it quietly, privately. I've also tried to simply ignore it and hope it would go away. I've acted like no one else saw it. 


It's still here.


As much as I would rather not discuss it, it's time.


I received confirmation of that through a conversation I had with my brother. He had no idea that his relating of a story about the life of his friend would be used by the Lord to push me toward this post.


It's not pretty. Prepare yourselves.


I struggle with gluttony.


There. 


It's out now. 


Of course, it's not like people can't tell. I'm overweight. And have been for several years now. 


And it's not okay.


It damages His Reputation.


When people know that I am His, but I still have this glaring sin in my life, obvious to anyone who sees me, what does that say about His Power to deliver me from sin? How compelling can my testimony be, with the results of my sin jiggling like a bowl of jello? If someone doesn't know Him, I have already diluted, or polluted, what He might ask me to speak to them. 


It is an area of my life that has not been completely submitted to His Authority.


I have wrestled with it and wrestled with it, knowing that it has been a generational issue in my family, and not wanting to continue to perpetuate it forward to the generations of our family. 


It is all about obedience. Obedience versus the desires of the flesh. And my flesh has been winning.


That's NOT okay.


Not if I truly believe that He calls us to ever increasing levels of personal holiness.


And so, a few weeks ago, He called me to embrace the discipline I have LOATHED for years!! 


Before I go any further, this is what He has called ME to. I am giving testimony of His Faithfulness through His refusal to leave me here. The specifics that I may be asked to follow are between my Father and me. That does NOT mean they automatically transfer to you! Okay? Please do not receive condemnation on any level from this. If He convicts us of sin in our lives, it is for the purpose of moving us to repentance so that we may testify to the Victory.


Back to the elephant.


I would have loved to be able to wait and post a "victory" message. But that wouldn't bring Him Glory right now. And He deserves the Glory right now. The very fact that He will not let me be content being overweight testifies to His call on our lives for personal holiness. When we tell Him He is Lord, we have to mean over everything. 


His Purpose in the timing of this post is Perfect. He wants me to admit there is an elephant in room. He wants me to admit I need Him in this area. He wants me to allow Him to tell me what He requires and for my obedience to be complete, instant, and cheerful--just like the standard of obedience we have for our children.


So as I learn discipline in this area, the Spirit will quicken my hearing. 


His Grace to walk in the Victory Christ won for me on the Cross is already available for my use. I have to choose to use it. 


And so I pray that He will increase my hunger, not for food, but for Him. I need to crave spiritual holiness. I need to die to the flesh and allow Him to feed my spirit.


Remember the post about the word "resolute?" 


Coincidence? 


Not even.


This portion of the journey started in mid December. The duration depends on my willingness to obey. I hope the elephant really is evicted this time. Permanently. The choice is mine to make. The Victory over every single sin out there is already won. Really and truly! It is won! No matter what species of elephant you may own, his eviction notice is written with the blood of Christ!


I'm ready.


His Grace is Sufficient.


Oh, I almost forgot. That dreaded discipline that I have loathed all these years? 


Getting on the scales on a regular basis. 


As if avoidance changed the number on that dial.  I believe that's called DENIAL! :)


Also, I am counting calories. So that I actually have to think about choices throughout the day. He is so very Faithful to teach me to walk in obedience. In every area. 


So for me, 2012 will add a whole new level to my understanding of the word resolute!

How has He been Faithful to you in the last week? In the last year? When you were a little child? Write it down and link it up. We would be blessed by your testimony. Grab the button on the sidebar and add it to your post to invite others here to read these testimonies that are for His Glory. Each week, there is a sense of anticipation that accompanies the clicking of the "Publish Post" button, as I wonder who will link up and what He has done for them. It's wonderful. So hurry up!! We're waiting!! :)