And over and over again I must remind myself that detox is not something I do TO myself - though it certainly feels that way - but is something I do FOR myself.
So, why do I detox?
Anyone who has known me for more than a year knows that I detox at least twice a year - normally from sugar and flour - this time I am detoxing all wheat, sugar, caffeine, and dairy. I detox first and foremost for my health. Our food today is chock-full of toxins - whether we choose them or not. In fact, our whole world is full of toxins. And while we cannot go around avoiding all exposure to toxins - we can every once in a while choose to purge some of these toxins from our system.
But I also detox for the discipline of it. I think it is a good reminder that food is not my master - it does not make decisions for me. I choose what I eat, how much of it, and when. Food for me is a choice. I know that many in this world do not have the luxury of choosing what, when, and how much they get to eat. For many people food is not a choice at all. So I need to remember that when it comes to something as basic as food, I cannot begin to ignore my freedom to choose what I put into my body.
I have also seen a trend recently that disturbs me. Many people have separated their physical health from their choices. I know that there are many people out there who make all of the right decisions - they exercise and eat right - and they still get sick. But there are more cases of people who do not make good food decisions or exercise and end up with diseases that seem to them to have come out of nowhere. We are not fully in control of our fate - but we are able to make decisions that can help steer the course.
Taking our health seriously is not only a smart thing to do in life - it is also a sign of our faith. God has created this body, God has given it life, God has crafted us - and we are called to steward what we have been given. Our food choices can reflect our faith choices. It is hard for us to take responsibility for our own health - to do our due diligence in keeping illness and disease away. But this is what it means to be co-creators with God. We are not separate from our future, we play a part, we help determine what direction our lives will take.
So, detoxing is a discipline. It reminds me that left to my own devices I may see it as perfectly acceptable to have ice cream with all three meals - but I am not left to my own devices. I answer to a higher authority - one who gave me life and asks me to take that gift seriously. And so I limit myself, knowing that my way is not the best way - I think this is a theme for me this year! I temper my cravings and I deny myself - not to punish, but to reign in.
Others may not have the luxury of choice when it comes to food - but for those of us who do - is it not our responsibility to not take this for granted? If we do not take our own bodies seriously, how will we truly care for those who do not have the luxury to eat ice cream at all. Detoxing is not always fun, but it creates an obedient spirit in me that I desperately need...
And those are just a few of the reasons why I detox...


