I have always had a weakness for all-you-can-eat buffets. It seems like the ultimate self-indulgence — all your favorite foods just sitting there in unlimited supply. You don’t have to wait for the cooks to prepare your meal; it’s ready as soon as you sit down. And the more you eat, the better value you’re getting, right?
Why have to choose between the banana pudding, the peanut butter pie or the peach cobbler when you can have all three?
As you can tell, I have a problem with self-control when it comes to buffets. I eat way too much, especially sweets. It’s like all common sense, all semblance of willpower, goes right out the window when I walk into the restaurant.
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As I got older, I found I was not working all those calories off as efficiently, and the weight gain was starting to show. Something had to be done.
Of course the obvious answer was to stop going to buffets. But that made far too much sense, and was far too difficult for a person as weak in resolve as I am. No, there had to be a different strategy. So now the first thing I do is hit the salad bar. Build a huge salad full of healthy stuff. Then wash it down with a big glass of water. That fills me up to the point where there’s little room left to overload my plate with meats and breads and sweets. It seems to be working, at least so far.
Filling up on God’s influence
The same strategy might work for you in your walk with Jesus. If you’re having trouble with temptation, fill your life with godly activities. Read the Bible, develop relationships with Christian brothers and sisters, get involved with church activities, pray more.
Chances are you will find yourself so filled up on God’s influence you will have less time to face sinful temptations. There is an old saying that you are who you hang out with, and when it comes to spiritual influence, I believe this is especially true.
Getting to know Jesus and His followers better is the salad bar to your buffet. He’s the good stuff. The peanut butter pie of sin is tempting. Just don’t save room for it.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Lass is a retired Birmingham television news and sports anchor and an award-winning columnist for numerous publications and websites.
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