“Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12
I was reading this morning and came across a very interesting list of numbers. It said that the the average American spends three years in business meetings. Now if that average American is a Baptist, that number would certainly be much higher. So the list continues. We spend 13 years–that is years with a “y” watching television. Oh but wait–there’s more. We eat 109,354 pounds of food. Once again the Baptist number would be like a zillion pounds. That same average American would make 1,811 trips to McDonalds and spend almost $7,000 dollars in vending machines. Then for dessert we would eat 35,138 cookies and about 1,483 pounds of candy. After eating all of that we are going to need a long nap so we are going to sleep for 24 for years! That is amazing.
Of course, most of us find all of that unbelievable because it seems so impossible and takes a lifetime. We would probably never do those things to that excess if we really thought about it. Let me pass on to you two or three good pieces of advice. First, remember that time adds up. If God grants us a full day then we will have the gift of 1,440 minutes. Remember to make everyone of them count. Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:16, “Making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” In other words–make every minute count.
Second, remember that we are free in what food we eat and besides the blatant sins, we are free to do most things. But we also need to do everything in moderation. Paul tells in 1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” I think that means we don’t need to eat 35,138 cookies or watch 13 years of television. Just saying.
Finally, we need to remember that we can honor God in so many areas of our lives. When it comes to serving Him, there really isn’t a religious world and a secular world. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 10:31 we read, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Do.It.All.For.The.Glory.Of.God! That means we have multiple opportunities to bring glory to Him–and multiple opportunities to do the opposite! Remember to keep the main thing the main thing–honor Him.
So, remember to have a few cookies, take a few naps and even watch a little television but remember that while everything is permissible for us we should not be mastered by anything–except the Master. Tall order? Perhaps but with God we can do all things. After all–He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 