Don't binge. Live.

No doubt, you have heard the phrase, "Moderation in all things." It is good advice in some areas of life and dangerous in others.

Lately, I have noticed a trend in our culture to binge just about everything. We binge on:

* Television show marathons

* Video games

* Shopping

* Gambling

** a multitude of other selections can appear here....

Moderation in these areas would be prudent. In one bizarre case a young person died after playing video games for 22 days.

The other night a commercial came on the TV regarding B.E.D.

B.E.D. is "Binge Eating Disorder" and reveals a tragic trend in people to treat food as some sort of drug so to speak. The danger in this disorder stems from an internal need to eat specific foods in excess. The result usually leads to heightened feelings of guilt, shame, and disconnection from societal circles. Losing control in the midst of a binge episode is common, whether indulging in a TV show or chocolate covered peanuts. Shortly after that commercial aired, another commercial touted the upcoming NCIS marathon!!

I could dive into a discussion about our nucleus accumbens (aka the pleasure center of the brain that deals in addictions) and probably overstep my knowledge on the subject so I digress.

What do you feed your soul? How do you function day to day? What external stimuli do you seek with reckless abandon? Is a growing relationship with Jesus Christ one of these? Moderation in all things.

A few scriptures that help me in times of questioning my passion toward Jesus are these.

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So,

because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

(Revelation 3:15-16, NIV)

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These

commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." (Deuteronomy 6:5-6, NIV)

Words listed in these texts reveal a healthy look at what it means to connect to holiness and God-centered relationships. In Revelation, being lukewarm toward God and working for God half-heartedly are not valued by the Lord. God is okay with those who are cold in their spiritual life (Cold people can come to their senses and turn to God). God is always pleased when a person is on fire for His Son Jesus. Lukewarm denotes a soul that doesn't give a hoot about much of anything.

Being on fire for Jesus does not suggest binge reading the Bible for 22 days straight, not does it suggest pitching a tent in your local church sanctuary and living there. It does promote the idea of following Jesus with devotion and fervor. Offering our lives as a living sacrifice daily for God's glory in His kingdom is more in line with being 'on fire' for Jesus. Not fanatical, but devoted. Not radicalized, but impassioned for the cause of Christ.

In Deuteronomy, the command to love with "all" suggests more of the same sentiment as Revelation 3. If we are to be followers of Jesus Christ, then it will require our all. Reserving our best assets for our own benefit will only lead us to a place of lukewarm connection with God who desires our 'all'. Are we offering God a healthy share of our time, talents, finances, sweat equity, and our voice of witness?

A famous book My Utmost for His Highest written by Oswald Chambers speaks to this allegiance to Jesus Christ. With careful attention to living level-headed in a binge filled world, one can love and serve God and our neighbors. In the final analysis, we are created to bring glory to Jesus Christ and please Him with our lives of holiness and fruitfulness. No binge required.