Vacation Bible School has ruined my diet. This week, my church hosted their annual Vacation Bible School (VBS). In addition to kids, my church also holds adult VBS. The adults have a time of praise, a lesson, a drama, and of course food, lots and lots of food. Meatballs, barbecue, ham biscuits, casseroles of every kind, dips, cheeses, crackers...and that's just the meal table! Next comes the dessert table, filled with cookies, cakes and pies of every type. Yes, VBS has ruined my diet. Or did it?
Truthfully, I am the only one who controls my diet. I have the free will to choose to eat a light dinner at home before VBS, or to go through the buffet line like it's my last meal. I made the decision to "sample" 3 different desserts. VBS didn't ruin my diet. I did.
Why do we always try to blame something or someone else for our poor decisions? Whether it be a simple misdirection, mistake or full blown sin, we point the finger anywhere but to ourselves. "She gave me bad advice." "Everyone else was doing it." "He started it." Or even, "The devil made me do it!"
No one, not even the devil can control our behavior. God gave us the free will to make our own decisions. And thankfully, he gave us Jesus to pay the price for our bad decisions. But we have to confess them, not make excuses, or point our finger the other direction. We have to repent (change our behavior). And we have to accept the forgiveness God offers through Jesus' sacrifice.
Yes, I ruined my diet this week. But next week I will make better decisions. Because, I can do all things through Christ...when I chose to. And when I don't, I only have myself to blame.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com
