The Key to Better Choices

So Moses registered them in obedience to the LORD as he had been commanded. Numbers 3:16

I would love to be obedient to God all the time. I mean, my spirit would. My flesh, on the other hand, usually wants to go its own way.

And all too often I give in to my flesh.

Chores waiting to be done around the house? I too often choose to chill out, relax, and/or play.

Work needing to be done? I frequently put it off until the last minute.

Quiet time with God? If I can actually drag myself out of bed in time, I will.

Eating what’s healthy and nutritious? Maybe. Sometimes. But so many other foods attract my attention.

I wonder, do some people just have what it takes to be obedient? To make the right choice most of the time?

But then I remember, there are times when I’m able to exercise self-control and my spirit (or The Spirit) overrules my flesh and I am obedient.

So why am I not all the time?

Because it’s easier to do what feels good, is effortless, or more fun. In other words, I often trade off the long-term reward for the short-term payoff.

But I don’t have to. And neither do you.

There’s no magic to it, no trick to make better choices. It’s just a matter of determining to do so and then acting on that decision one choice at a time.

Burning Fat

Then the priest will burn the food on the altar, as a fire offering for a pleasing aroma. “All fat belongs to the LORD….” Leviticus 3:16

         

Oh, my goodness. Did you read that last line? In case you missed it, let me write it again:

“All fat belongs to the Lord.”

The next verse is even more interesting: “This is a permanent stature throughout your generations, wherever you live: you must not eat any fat or any blood.”

First, I’d like to say that I know that we are not bound to the law of the Old Testament. Jesus came to fulfill the law and show us the full light, of which the Old Testament was a shadow presentation for God’s people. However, I don’t believe God ever set arbitrary boundaries. People do, but God has a reason for everything He’s ever told us to do or not do.

Now, that doesn’t mean this verse doesn’t make me cringe. Almost hurt, actually. Because honestly, the little bit of fat on a steak or rib or in a hamburger makes it better. Juicy, moist, and absolutely delicious. But, should I reevaluate how important fat might be?

I’m not even getting into other fats – butter, oils, avocadoes, etc. I’m just talking about the fat from meat. After all, that’s the only fat these verses are talking about.

I am not an Old Testament expert, or a Jewish heritage expert. Nor do I think we need to allow ourselves to look at verses like this and slip into legalism.

But I strive to know God and understand His Word. And I wonder what would happen if we were willing to offer all fat to the Lord as an offering.

And not just the fat in our eating. But the fat in our lives. You know, those excess things that distract us, weigh us down, and are unhealthy. The fat of guilt, the fat of wasting time, the fat of hurt, the fat of regrets, the fat of toxic relationships. What would happen if we burnt those things as an offering to the Lord? Truly giving it up permanently.

Because when it’s burned, we can’t pick it up again. We can’t gravitate towards that item again, pulling us away from being fully devoted to the Lord.

I wonder, what fat would He want me to lay on the alter as a burnt offering? Hopefully I won’t forget the question before I can carve out some quite time to seek His will here. Because I’m sure when I do, it will be a pleasing aroma to Him and I will be able to draw closer to Him and fill up to overflowing with His perfect gifts and blessings.

Tracy Wainwright