Having been advised by our family physician some years ago that, "You will live longer if you do what I tell you," I embarked on a diet. In time my weight began to evidence a rather noticable loss. As anyone experiencing such in our present time and cultural setting soon learns, so doing not only gains attention; it also lends insight into one of the reasons that weight control has become a highly profitable industry within our nation at large.
This was driven home rather pointedly when, upon attending a dinner sponsored by the area chapter of an interfaith organization on whose board of advisors I was privileged to serve, I was approached by a lady who, while unknown to myself, was obviously aware as to who I was. Enthusiastically exclaiming, "You've lost weight!" she eagerly continued, "How did you do it?"
Upon sharing that my doctor had prescribed a strict and detailed diet, I was immediately cut short in mid-sentence with a somewhat exasperated, "No, no, no!; what was the trick?" What was the "trick?" It was too good an opportunity to pass.The trick, I advised her, was that I had done what the doctor said. Turning on her heel, she left without another word.
The point is that we are oftentimes little inclined toward that requiring commitment and/or self-discipline. There is an inherent appeal to purported shortcuts, innovative schemes and answers requiring little of ourselves in terms of sacrifice or exercise of will. We are more readily drawn to the "easy way"; in this case, presumably, deemed to involve little more than some new pill or painless routine.
Few things of value work that way. For this reason, Jesus unhesitatingly advised those who would follow him as to the cost. It will not always be pleasant or easy. This was one of our Lord's uncerscored emphases, not only as applying to the life of discipleship at large, but particularly in relation to the time of the end.
We need to think it through.
Burl Ratzsch
