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Notes

How to avoid the biggest distraction that derails most of us from the better life we want.

Everyone wants a better life, and to be better at life.

Destinations aren't a result of desire but daily habits.

Better comes from different habits not doing more of the same.

#1 Distraction = Constantly Consume

"To put it bluntly: the easiest way to life a short unimportant life is to consume the world around you rather than contribute to it." James Clear- Author of Atomic Habits

"It never seems to be the right time to talk about our consumption problem. As always, we're being asked to postpone a conversation about the dark side of consumerism. But to yield this time would be a terrible missed opportunity." Fortune - July 3rd 2021

Millions of people have just had deep reckonings with their values and priorities, and - maybe most importantly-the pandemic has offered glimpses of what life beyond consumer society could look like. Fortune-July 3rd 2021

In the words of sociology professor Juliet School, "the pressure to upgrade our stock of stuff is relentlessly unidirectional, always ascending." James Clear Author "Atomic Habits"

No one can consume their way to fulfillment and purpose, yet consuming gets most of our attention. 

Jesus disrupts the lie that consuming leads to life with the tool of fasting.

What is "fasting"?

How do we fast?

Why should I fast?

Fasting: Intentionally pausing a physical activity for a spiritual purpose

How: Stop a feel-good activity that will cause discomfort, that then signals us to redirect our attention to God.

Why: It disrupts the daily distraction to try to consume our way to life that in the end we'll regret.

Fasting is a tool to disrupt the distraction of consumption so we wend up with a better life and being better at life. 

Scripture

But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. John 6:27

Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry, The tempter came to him and said, "if you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Matthew 4:2-4

Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: 'No one can life only on food..."Matthew 4:2-4