My husband and I honeymooned in Jamaica at a resort called Hedonism. Webster’s definition of Hedonism is: the pursuit of pleasure, sensual, self-indulgence.
Synonyms: Self-gratification, lotus-eating.
This place truly depicts the world’s mindset of self-indulgence. The clubs, island parties, toga dinner and nude beaches all screamed self-gratification. I’m sure not one of us at this resort saw through the façade of this environment, that leads down a road of destruction. It certainly did for our marriage. It’s crazy how we view self-indulgence as freedom and self-control as a prison.
This mindset of self-indulgence and self-gratification is something we all battle. They are seeds of lies that we’ve come into agreement with and have produced addictions that are hard to overcome, but not impossible. What it takes is a humble, surrendered heart, willing to live a life of self-control and surrender to God’s design. As a result we find the freedom and power we have always longed for and that we thought, was found in pursuing our own fleshly desires.
I’m beyond grateful for this amazing career I’ve been given, as I’m so fulfilled when I get to experience the radical healing and transformation in a person’s mind, body, spirit when they are willing to reject the Hedonistic mind set and embrace the transforming power of the gospel.