Ascetic Inclinations

1 Corinthians 9:25-27, 10:12-13 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified from the prize... So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.

In this scripture, Paul speaks of rigorous self denial and self discipline. He indicates that these free us from slavery to our own appetites and urges and allow us to hold a righteous line under the strongest of temptations.

Those who lead an ascetic lifestyle have always intrigued me. I remember reading that Gen. Stonewall Jackson once ate bread with butter on it. He liked it so well that he never had it again. A very deeply religious man, he didn't want to take too much pleasure from things of this world. This is something of a lost sentiment among Christians in this generation. I am wondering if I am being pulled in this direction though. My appetite for pleasure, comfort and ego fulfillment have dominated most of my adult life. (probably my childhood too) The call to break free of these false gods has whispered in my ear for a while now. The discipline of fasting has interested me. I have done it, with some success, but to say that I understand it would be a lie. Recently I said to Kristy that I might like to try to make fasting part of my routine. It seems likely that if I give up something (food) in a search for God, He will place something before me. Jesus fasted. It's probably a good idea. There are those characters too, like John of Antioch, who made sheer misery a way of life. He ruined his health by years of constant standing and fasting. He also castrated himself. While this seems pretty extreme, he didn't do it because there was no reward in his discipline. It got results. John was among the most powerful preachers of the early church. His devotion intrigues me. The call to follow Christ has led scores of Christians to reject material society and the norm through the years. Maybe I am simply being called to be more self disciplined but it feels like there might be more. Does my answering Gods call in my life mean that my values should be visibly different from those of my past and society's in general? Is that where He is leading me? Perhaps....

Father God, please develop in me the faith to follow your call. Shape me into a vessel that is pleasing to you. Crush all my false gods. By all means, use me to reach those who need you. Amen