A brief thought today, as I’m trying to get back on an even keel after a weekend of draining stuff. I found this “alphabet of goodness” for a few bucks at a nearby Restore, and recently hung it where I could see it before walking into my office, to help remind me to have the right attitude towards the world.
But it reminds me of the unnecessary opposition many Christians have towards the good things of this world. Many of the Christian authority figures I grew up couldn’t admit that something that they’d heard from our culture was actually a good thing, and would invent reasons why it was bad.
Even recently, a priest at the local Church was complaining that “Jesus wasn’t asking people to go live their best lives, but to get out of the boat and follow Jesus.” Well, in one sense that is true, but in another sense, it isn’t. When Peter got out of the boat and walked on water, he soon was floundering.
Self-care is an important thing. It’s possible for people to literally work themselves to death if they aren’t careful – either by causing themselves long-term health problems that shorten their lives, or by causing them to take risks that cut their lives short more abruptly.
Taking care of yourself is important. Jesus didn’t give us a spirit of fear – nor did he wish us to cultivate habits that cause fear in ourselves. He told us to repent from our evil ways, yes, but also to be not afraid – and that following Him could be an easy burden if we took up his yoke.
It’s not wrong to take care of yourself, even if you are a Christian trying to serve Jesus. If your body is a temple, it should be a well-tended place, one that functions. If you are God’s instrument, you should make sure that instrument is in good condition.
Yes, sometimes following Jesus is a difficult path, but we don’t have to make it harder than it already is by embracing bad choices – or ignoring good advice just because it’s not coming from a church leader.
-the Centaur
Pictured: A nice framed inspirational stone I found for something like 3-5 bucks at Restore.
