On the Meatless Wagon
| With him is only the arm
of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our
battles. 2 Chron. 32:8, NIV. |
Robert set off
a roar of joyous approval at the Vegetarian Supper Club cooking school
when he began explaining his reasons for taking the course: “These are
going to be my ‘Meataholics Anonymous’ meetings. I really have been overdoing
my meat consumption, and I want to learn how to prepare another kind of
protein.” He detailed the extent of his perceived addiction, including
the exact ounces of meat he had been devouring daily. Then he set off another
rumble of laughter by concluding, “So I came here to get on the wagon.”
Americans have been formally
getting on the wagon ever since the phrase became popular during the late
1800s. And as anyone who has been on any kind of “wagon” can tell you,
eliminating the loved and the familiar requires commitment and fortitude.
The friendship and support of other people trying to make the same change
or a similar one helps a lot. Robert can tell you all about that. He stuck
with his class for all five training sessions.
At the International Tasting
Event finale to the cooking school, Robert’s face reflected the peace and
joy of an overcomer. Several weeks later he announced that he had prepared
every recipe in the course manual, and apparently his friends had tasted
them all. “When’s the next class?” he asked. “I have a lot of friends who
want to come!”
The bottom line of support
for everyone making lifestyle changes, whether it’s getting enough sleep,
getting enough exercise, or getting on a meatless diet, is the Great Enabler.
He provides the power to hold on and hold out—to stay on the wagon of wholesome
change. However, even when we are leaning on Him, it certainly comforts
our humanness to have friends who’ll encourage us.
That’s why I’d suggest joining
a support group of people who are eating vegetarian-style or doing (or
stopping) whatever you have chosen as your goal. If you don’t know anyone
nearby to turn to, ask your omniscient Father to direct you to someone
He has ordained to supply the encouragement you need.
| Lord, You are the Great Enabler. Help
me to get on the “wagon” for You. |
|