So, there I was, staring at a pink box of doom. Unaware of my coworkers odd glances my way, I stared that pink box down until my eyes hurt. I turned quickly, accusatory. My eyes spoke "Which of you brought this wickedness upon the office?".
They looked at me like I was crazy and walked away. From the back of the office I heard a faint "Taniya, There's donuts today". Disheartened I slunk over to my desk. I turned my computer on. The flashing light on my phone indicated that I had, like, a billion voice mails, I leaned back pensively. I decided to grab a cup of coffee, I really needed it. "I won't even open the box" I thought to myself as I grabbed the creamer from the fridge. "I won't even look in that direction!" I leaned to grab a straw and that's when I saw it. An Old Fashioned. A Chocolate Old Fashioned. The best donut ever invented was sitting right on top, even though everyone else had already grabbed one. How can this be? Since when are there donuts this early in the week? And since when is there a chocolate old fashioned still there at 9:00AM?!?!
It's simple really. There is only one reason for this anomaly.
Today is a fast.
I am only half kidding with this story because it is a reality. An ugly one. And, let's be honest, donuts are basically deep fried evil. Even under normal circumstances they should be discarded without hesitation. But they're so good...
Note: I began writing this blog a while ago, when I was fasting, but I guess I didn't have the strength to avoid donuts AND write about them. I also did not eat a donut. I know you were thinking I did, but I did not. Also, I write in italics when I'm telling a story, or interrupting myself. I leave that to your discernment. Either way, this was sitting in my drafts and I felt it needed to be finished.
Get this, I once read a quote from some rock star guy referring to our temptations as our true desires, and if that's the case then how can they be wrong (I am paraphrasing here.). He went on to say that he overcame his temptations by is own will power. Wait, what? Didn't he just say....
This idea is obviously a contradiction to itself. Now, I think this guy had it partly right. It wouldn't be a temptation if we didn't want it, but does that make it right? We know the story of fatal attraction all too well. I used donuts as an example and those are bad enough, but there are worse things we can do. Exercising will power when it comes to donuts is one thing, but I need much more than will power to say no to the desires of my flesh. If we are all honest with ourselves, we all do."For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" Galatians 6:8 (NKJV).
What are we sowing in us, Corruption? Or everlasting life? Yes, we have a flesh that wants the unholy, but we have a spirit that yearns for the Holy. The Bible shows clearly that we have a choice, and God is faithful. He hasn't left us alone to ourselves with nothing but our willpower to save us. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
The way out will always be provided, but will you take it?
