As I sit in the waiting room at U of M hospital waiting for a family member to get out of surgery, I can’t help but think of all of the various folks that come in and out of this hospital with needs ranging from trivial to life and death. None of them want to be here, but they all find themselves here, and if things go well they leave grateful that they came and thankful for the opportunity that they have to receive care. If things don’t go well their emotions range from anger to depression to relief, depending on the outcome of their illness. Nobody likes the hospital, but most would agree that it is a the kind of place that we can’t live without. Hospitals and doctors for that matter have to prepare for the worst; they thrive on crisis; and I am sure that that is a depressing and difficult thought for most doctors, that if business is good it will be because people are hurting and suffering.
If we aren’t careful the church can become the same kind of place because in many ways people view the church as a place that you go only when you are spiritually sick. Many think that us pastors are here just for the times when people are hurting and suffering. I would propose that church is there to help people to live better lives through relationship with Christ all the time and not just when they are in crisis. the church in some ways must prepare for the worst, but in many other ways help people live their best. I am sure most doctors wish that people would take their advice and come see them when they are well, in order to help prevent sickness and not just treat it when it comes. I believe the church has a real opportunity to help people learn how to prevent many of the tragedies of life that come about as a result of sin.
The fact is, many of us are unhealthy and end up at the hospital because we don’t eat right and excercise. Unfotunately many christians find themselves spiritually sick because they won’t put for the effort to excercise their faith, and take in the wrong kind of nourishment spiritually, instead of the things that Phil 4:8 tells us we should meditate on. I’m starting to get wise physically…I take vitamins, fish oil pills, and I’m going to try and make it home in time for my weekly excercise regime,(basketball at the floyd school). My hope is that we will all get wise spiritually and put as much time (or more) into our spiritual health as we do our physical