GIGO

One of the habits I've had to overcome in my quest for better fitness is late-night snacking. It still gets the best of me once in a while, but overall, I am much better with that than I was a couple of years ago. If I want all this work in the gym and out on the pavement to pay off, I have to make my consumption match my fitness regimen.

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit..."  --Ephesians 5:18

The GIGO in the title refers to Garbage In, Garbage Out, and along with the above verse, speaks to the notion that we are largely what we consume. And not just what we eat or drink, but what we take in. Certainly the nutrition we consume is the largest determining factor to our physical health--equally so, what we fill our minds and hearts with determines the state of our spiritual health.

Our world is filled with noise, and mostly, negativity, cynicism and crudeness are talking the loudest. It takes a decided heart to not let our consumption be dominated by those influences. Simply put, what we fill our heads and hearts with determines what comes out of us to those around us. Talk TV and radio, the other types of television shows we watch, even the people we associate with--all of these can (and do) color our attitudes and the state of our hearts. By being called to be filled with the Spirit, we are called to guard our consumption carefully.

Today's challenge: Take a look at your consumption, nutritionally and spiritually. What garbage do you have going in? Take the measure of eliminating one unhealthy consumption item from your routine.