Pastor's Column 5/15/22

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart. For they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” Proverb 4:20-22, NLT “Healing and Healthy Advice”

King Solomon wrote many of the proverbs to provide his listeners with practical advice, that was grounded in spiritual truth. The practical admonitions essentially contained in them irrefutable wisdom. In the present era we live in, we could all benefit from simple advice that is not nuanced by unfounded statements, and false assertions. So often untrue information can more easily find its way into the mindset of the public. People believe what they hear without testing the truth of what is being spoken or written. This is why we should never abandon the Scripture, which is both truth and eternal. Solomon said this truth will bring and sustain our good health (cf. Proverbs 3:8, NLT). Recently, over 1 million deaths from Covid-19 in the United States were acknowledged. Sadly, this is not the end, as more deaths are anticipated. The figure represents, or is equivalent to, the entire populations of some states, like Maine or Delaware. While it's true people die from many other causes in the U.S., this is the first time, people “refused” to accept and believe the facts or consequences of this deadly respiratory-viral illness. This is especially disheartening, when measures could have been taken to avoid the most fatal consequences of the virus. This is a cautionary tale about life and choices. It is a present-day proverb, no different than the one Solomon gave nearly 3,000 years ago. A healthy people are an informed people. People might be surprised to learn that in the Bloomberg Index of Healthy Nations, the U.S. does not rank in the top 25. Lack of access to health resources, and a skeptical public, contribute to this. In greeting a friend, the Apostle John encouraged them to “remain in good health; to prosper, even as the soul prospers.” The health of body, life, and soul are important now, and for the generations to come!