Diet discourse
Doesn’t it seem like society is a bit too consumed with what we consume? Like Ponce de Leon, we’re desperately on a collective search for the fountain of youth. Don’t get me wrong - I do believe that a healthy diet, a fitness program and the other things that make for a healthy body, soul and spirit are important. My personal goal is to live out my years in good health so that my brief time on this planet is spent wisely and productively. However, as a follower of Christ, I believe that this life is just a short precursor to a never ending one, and I am more concerned for the state of my soul than about obsessing about it’s current container. I’m not worried about trying to live to be 140 years old, like the strange people featured in arecent cover article in MacLean’s magazine. These people eat just enough to stay alive in an attempt to double their life expectancy. A truly strange mindset, if you ask me- keeping yourself barely alive so that you can draw your life out for as long as humanly possible. Why stick around that long if it’s only a survival contest?
When you dig down to find the motive behind society’s health and fitness obsession, don’t we really find that much of what is done is ultimately for that very same reason? We are a society of Ponce de Leons, spending a great deal of time and money in pursuit of the elusive fountain of youth.
We’ve all known guys that spend incredible amounts of time and money cleaning, polishing and maintaining their four wheeled pride and joys, (You know: hes’ got a vintage Mustang or Firebird or some other classic). I’ve always wondered just how much attention such car buffs give to their marriages, family or friends by comparison.
Contrast this type of car owner with the person who carefully researches and compares vehicles before purchasing one. Once they have the right car,they conscientiously service their vehicle to make sure serves them well for many years. Unlike the guy who slavishly worships his vehicle, these folks want to keep their cars running well for as long as possible so that their car will reliably and safely get them where they need to go.
I hope you see the point of my analogy. I think of my own mortal frame in similar fashion: I try to look after it so that it will serve me well and operate reliably for years to come. But only because I want it to serve my goals of loving my Creator and caring for the people in my life.
So by all means look after your health. But do so for the right reasons: so that your body can reliably get you where you need to go in this life. It’s a means to an end, not an end in itself.
Something to think about.
Art
1 comment March 10th, 2007