Dear Lighthouse,

 

            I heard part of an awesome message from John MacArthur on the radio the other day.  It was such a good analogy I thought I’d pass it on to you.  Incidentally, if you want to hear MacArthur you can go to our website and look under “Great Preaching” and follow the links to his website or to the times for his sermons on 800AM (93.9FM).  After reading this you may be inspired to do so.  (Disclaimer:  He gave me the idea for this analogy, but most of this blather is mine.  His sermons are much better!)

            Anorexia nervosa is the condition that we’ve all heard about.  People that suffer from this will go on binges of eating only to vomit out their food or use enemas to expel what they ate.  Symptoms include:

 

1.  Binge eating followed by the elimination of consumed food

2.  Irritability

3.  Low self-esteem

4.  Compulsive exercising to try and convince themselves they’re healthy

5.  Social isolation to keep their secret from others

6.  Health deteriorates and victims of the disease may eventually die

 

            This is not a disease that is caused by bacteria or virus.  It is not contagious or genetic in its cause.  The sad thing is that it is completely preventable.  However, it is a condition that is growing in our society.  We could probably talk a lot about the social situations that may lead to this problem, but hopefully none of us suffer from the condition.  Though I look amazingly thin and almost frail, I honestly don’t have it! 

Though we may not suffer from the physical condition of anorexia, I fear that far too many Christians suffer from a spiritual version of the disease.  Consider the parallels and diagnose yourself:

 

1.  Binge consumption of Scripture in order to feel good but then that Scripture is soon eliminated from our hearts and minds by disuse and lack of follow through

2.  Irritability due to the obvious contradiction we see in our own lives - knowing the good we should do, but seeing a different belief system being played out by our own actions

3.  Low self-esteem because we know what we do, what we think, and what we are is not what it should be.  We tend to believe that God sees us as sickening and weak and as a enemy.  We ask, “How could He love someone like me?”

4.  Compensation for lack of maturity by increasing our business in the Church and charities and services.  We think if we look busy then no one will know the condition we are truly in.  Also, if we are serving God in some capacity, then surely we are indeed righteous.

5.  Social isolation.  We avoid deep conversations and deep Christian relationships because then someone will discover who we really are underneath

6.  Spiritual health declines only to be replaced by a strange paranoia and ineffectiveness for the Kingdom

 

            What a nightmare!  What a descending spiral way of thinking!  Looking over the list, do you see yourself in any (or all) of these symptoms of spiritual anorexia?  I hope not, but to be honest I can see some disturbing parallels in my own life.  It is so hard to keep an even keel in this life.  Many people lean toward a manic existence - they are hot for God or they are cold toward Him.  Many go to Christian conferences or read spiritual books or consume Christian movies and music and get caught up for the moment only to crash later and let all of the benefit slip away as if God were a fad that comes and goes according to your mood or whim.  My friends, this should not be!

            Where does this kind of life lead?  To victorious, joyful walk with God?  No, it leads to depression, low self-esteem, isolation, and unfruitfulness.  So, if you find that you suffer from this spiritual condition, what is the cure? 

EAT!

            A steady, healthy diet is the cure for anorexia.  The body will recover quickly with proper nutrition.  The mind may take a little longer.  Likewise, if you set a determined course to consume the Word of God daily, with consistency, you will grow healthier.  Once you get the right view of yourself and others from the Word of God then your mind will heal as well.  We are meant to walk with God “in the cool of the day” with great joy (Jude 1:24-25), with unparalleled assurance of our acceptance and adoption as His children (Eph. 1:3-15), with confidence (Heb. 4:16 &10:35) in our salvation and with a clear view of our mission while on Earth.  We are victorious through Christ our Lord (I Cor. 15:57-58) and we need to start living like it.

            Jesus taught that if you came to Him, He would give you living water and you would never thirst again (John 4 & Rev. 7:17).  In a more graphic analogy, Jesus teaches that we feed on Him (The Word of God) in order to grow and be a part of Him and in a relationship with the Father (John 6:52-66).  This was a difficult teaching then and it remains so today.  It is difficult to focus our effort and attention on God in a world that is constantly trying to pull us away, make us feel lousy, and plant seeds of doubt and fear within our minds.  But you will be blessed if you put for the effort and continue to hunger and thirst for God.  Matthew 5:6 sums up the cure and the challenge, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”  This will be our text when we get together next in Sunday School to study the Sermon on the Mount.

            This week I ask you to begin, even if for the first time, a steady diet of Scripture reading by studying the book of JAMES with us in the Lighthouse.  Also, try looking up all Scripture referenced in this e-mail.  Or, try looking up the Scriptures we referred to in Sunday School last Sunday - Daniel 10:12-21; II Peter 2:10-14; Jude 1:8-10; I Sam. 28; and Rev. 12:7-12 to name a few.  If these don’t spark an interest or even a little fear, then you really need to read them again!

            The point is this:  God want His people to walk in the joy of their salvation and position with Him.  Don’t sell yourself short and become ineffective for His Kingdom by surrendering to spiritual anorexia.  The cure is simple.  And if you need some help with accountability, give someone in our Fellowship a call and have them hold you to eating healthy and not purging afterward.  Keep the Word inside and if will give you life!  I guarantee the someone you call needs the encouragement too.  Let’s all strive together more and more as we see the Day of His return approaching (Heb. 10:25).  And let us continue to shine the light from the Lighthouse to warn others of the dangers that lie just below the surface of this world’s calm waters.

            Have JOY this week - you’re in God’s Hands.