'Ditch' The Fries, 'Dodge' The Heart-Attack

Most don't change, without a crisis. 

For example, I'm guessing, Democrats and Republicans would have never knelt in prayer, in public, at last Thursday's congressional baseball game, if congressional leaders and staffers had not been heinously shot down the day before, on an Alexandria, VA ball-field. 

In like manner, a lot of us don't do the 'right thing' until a crisis hits. To be specific:  persons don't 'hit' the gym - until a heath scare 'hits.'  Persons don't work on their marriage -- until someone files for divorce.  Persons don't begin flossing -- until a tooth or two are pulled.  Persons don't appreciate their pastor - until their pastor abruptly resigns and exits.   

In that regard, I remember a ministerial colleague who complained about the reserve and inattentiveness of his congregation, subsequently resigning.  But immediately, upon hearing that their pastor was exiting, the congregation flooded the clergyman with oodles of love and appreciation.  Commenting afterward, my friend remarked:  "if only I had known they felt that positively toward me, I would have stayed!" 

Get the point:  we eventually end up doing the 'right thing,' but only after, suffering the consequences of doing the 'wrong thing.'   

But doesn't it make sense, for us to do the 'right thing' from the 'get-go'?

This often occurs to me, as I pass by a cardio-rehab center.  Persons are feverishly pumping away on exercise machines, and indeed, important progress is being made.  But I think: what if they had 'pumped away' before?  Could the crisis had been averted?  

Now, please, don't misunderstand: not all heart disease can be avoided by exercise or 'ditching the French Fries.'  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/02/28/biggest-loser-bob-harper-heart-attack/98538286/  In fact, there are glaring examples, of persons who eat 'the French Fries' and never have a detrimental medical incident.   But as Time magazine concluded in their article 'Even The Long-Lived Smoke, Drink and Don't Exercise,'  "...if you're not among the lucky ones with golden long-life genes, you’d probably be wise to hedge your bets. It’s still a smart idea to eat right, move your body regularly, avoid smoking and drink in moderation..."  http://healthland.time.com/2011/08/05/even-the-long-lived-smoke-drink-and-dont-exercise/ 

The Bible applauds such precautionary action.  For scripture, regularity reinforces the principle of reciprocity; the classic text is Galatians 6:7ff.

"...A man’s harvest in life will depend...on what he sows. If he sows for his own lower nature his harvest will be the decay and death of his own nature. But if he sows for the Spirit he will reap the harvest of everlasting life by that Spirit. Let us not grow tired of doing good, for, unless we throw in our hand, the ultimate harvest is assured…” (Galatians 6:7-9, Phillips).

And I would add:  many a heart-ache is avoided.

But 'circling back' to where we started:  it often takes a heart-ache  before we sow the right stuff.  But it is so senseless.

Two sobering examples, I often cite, are the reconciling reunions of veterans (e.g. Gettysburg in 1913 and 1938) and the rebuilding, reconstruction efforts (e.g. Marshall Plan) that often occur, after wars.

Catastrophic carnage and tons of resources are hurled at enemies during warfare, all in an exhausting effort to resolve differences.  But when someone apparently 'wins,' and folks are depleted -- efforts to reconstruct, rebuild and reconcile occur.

But catch the irony; WWII is a glaring example.  It cost 296 billion for the U.S. to bomb Germany and Japan (along with the deployment of other war measures) during World War II. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RS22926.pdf   It then cost the U.S. 22.2 billion dollars to rebuild Germany and Japan (through the Marshall Plan, and other efforts) after World War II.  https://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/world-report/2014/06/06/the-lessons-from-us-aid-after-world-war-ii.

But what a waste.  I mean:  you bomb something, only to rebuild it?!  Idiotic.  

Why not avoid the bombing in the first place, by advancing creative, non-violent ways to contain evil and peace-build.  (for more of my thoughts on this option, see: http://wwwpaulmundey.blogspot.com/2016/09/god-and-guns.html

Or expressing it, through the imagery of our thought-path: 'ditch' the 'fries';  ditch well-established, tasty, but deadly habits -- and embrace a healthier, more Godly, more brilliant way, of moving life forward. For, as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:

“…You must no longer live as the Gentiles [e.g. secular, worldly folk] do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts…You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:17-18; 22-24, emphasis added).

So, what are your deceitful desires? Grudge-bearing? Selfish ambition? Laziness? Lust? Gossip?  Gluttony?  Fits of rage?  Divisiveness?  Violence? French fries?   In line with Paul's drift: put off such 'old' stuff -- and put on new, Godly apparel.  Or returning to our thought-path: 'ditch' the 'fries' and embrace a more Godly, brilliant way of moving life forward.

For how many tragedies will it take until you transform; how many 'heart-attacks' need to happen before you change your ways?

Sure, 'heart-attacks' are wake-up calls -- but life-threatening 'wake up' calls.

Less damaging, however, is the  'wake up' call that is sounding right now.  It's the voice of the Lord crying...reminding...

"...Knowing the time -- that now it is high time -- to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."   (Romans 13:11-12, emphasis added, KJV).

'Dodge' the heart-attack -- 'ditch' the 'fries' -- and let the Lord arrest you, instead!