It started with a great hunger. I didn't eat breakfast yesterday morning. (I know, I know, its the most important meal of the day! I get it, and thanks for your concern). By the time lunch came around I'm starving. So it starts with my desire, I must find something to satisfy this current hunger. And what does my genius mind come up with? Whataburger! Yes that will fill the void! It can't be that bad for me? How can something that tastes so good, be bad? Nope it can't be bad, and why would I have a desire for something that is bad for me, right? After all the folks at Whataburger are so concerned for my well being, that they will let me put whatever I want on my burger. So what will satisfy me today? I know just the thing, a double cheeseburger with lettuce, ranch and jalapenos. I know what your thinking, "this guy builds a great burger!" But you have to remember I've been practicing for many years, you'll get it one day, it takes practice.
O.K. so now I have my burger and regardless of the little voice in my head that says, "Hey Brad, this is probably not good for you!" the desire for this well built meal is too much for me to stop now, plus it smells unbelievable! So I dive in and take my first bite. Just as I imagined, fantastic! Maybe the best bite I have ever eaten! I am so glad I did this! When I finish this burger I will be so happy and satisfied! I start devouring this sandwich as fast as I can, meat, cheese, ranch, and jalapeno can get a little messy but, I couldn't care less, I want more and I want it now! I finally get to the last couple bites, the last 30 sec of eating bliss were amazing!
Then completely out of left field, like a blindsided punch to to stomach (You know that's how Houdini died! not from eating but a punch to the gut), "Uh Oh, I don't feel so good, what have I done? This was not smart! THIS WAS NOT SMART!" But I have to finish the race, those last couple bites must go down. So I throw them back, and to be honest with you they were the worst two bites of burger I have ever eaten. No joke! Where did this grease come from? I don't remember the meat sliding down my throat like this in the beginning? Is that the feeling of acid coming up my throat to welcome the last bite of my lunch? I think it is!(ladies sorry for the gross word picture, but then again sin is gross) How could something that was soooo good in the beginning be soooo awful now? I have done something wrong, I have done something very, very wrong!
Loosing energy,... Getting dizzy,... Sick as a dog now! My body officially hates me. Not only do I feel horrific, I know that it will only get worse as the day goes. There will be consequences... Oh there will be consequences! Boy, I wish I wouldn't have eaten that burger, now its time to pay the piper. How could this happen? My day has gone from great to tragic. In less then 10 minutes I've gone from a wonderful taste explosion, to wanting to curl up in the fetal position ( but I can't do that, after all I'm in public that would be embarrassing). Oh, double-cheese-burger-with-ranch-and-jalapeno... You tricked me! You lured me in with you succulent smell and promises of lunch bliss. Just to kick me out onto the street, licking my wounds. Then it hit me, this is just like when my sin luers me in just to kicks the mess out of my soul.
When the day is done and my wounds have healed, I have two options. I can repent and see that Whataburger is not good for sustaining my life, and not go back to that well. Or, I can shake this one off and continue to go back until it slowly devours me.
Yesterdays lunch was a great analogy to me of how my desires can be blinded by sin and taken down a road to ruin before I can even catch myself. Lord may our desires be for you, and guard our hearts from evil.
Has anyone else felt this way?
Great analogy. I have definitely felt both sides of that analogy. It all starts with not eating breakfast. Not starting your day with God, or even meeting with God at all during the day, is hazardous. I always forget how strong the pull/hunger for sin is until presented with temptation. Thank God for the cross. Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDelete-ben garcia