The sour cream never had a chance. Innocently it waited in my refrigerator for the next potato- or nacho-based meal, which as a bachelor happened frequently.
This particular day, I staggered into my apartment after running 22 miles while training for my first marathon. Drenched with sweat, vision blurred and legs wobbling, I lurched toward the kitchen, ravenous after burning so much energy. Flinging open the door to the fridge, several tumbleweeds blew out, exposing the unsuspecting tub of protein and fat.
Hesitating briefly, a small voice of reason pleaded to not make meal out of a condiment. I shrugged, and devoured the sour cream with primal gusto anyway.
Even though I had changed my physical regimen over several months to prepare for running 26.2 miles, I hadn’t changed my eating habits – burgers, fries, fried chicken, and now apparently, a foray into fattier condiments. No wonder my body always felt so broken down, and I was zombified by the need for sleep.
A food-ish product that contains 10% of my suggested daily allowance of saturated fat in a mere 2 tablespoons couldn’t possibly replace all the carbohydrates, potassium, sodium, vitamins and minerals I burned off in mass quantities. And it certainly could not provide me energy for the next training run. So I lost weight and remained sluggish throughout my preparation, negatively influencing my productivity at work, ability to focus, and ultimately, my marathon performance and recovery.
The items on my bachelor menu satisfied my short-term cravings, but to my long-term detriment.
Sadly, I think that’s where we are as a society. Focusing on short-term gain instead of sacrificing for long-term prosperity. Thinking about what’s best for us instead of the people around us. Glorifying arrogance instead of humility. Self instead of service. Blaming instead of collaborating. Reacting instead of thinking.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul warns that the short-term dangers of sin and living for ourselves will prevent us for the long term gain of eternity with God (Galatians 5:19-21, NIV).
He also explains how that will play out: “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?” (Galatians 5:13-15, MSG).
In what area of your life should you keep the fridge door closed for long term benefit?
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