The title of the seminar was “An Ounce of Prevention.” I had been asked to facilitate a workshop on health screening tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer, diabetes and an assortment of health conditions. I turned to a long-time Sonshine geriatric doctor for his wisdom; His input was simple, yet quite profound. He said: “Sometimes we say that life is unfair. The unfairness is about our genetics.”In taking a medical history, your doctor will ask you whether your parents and siblings suffered from any medical condition like heart disease or cancer. If you have a medical condition in your family history, then you be crazy not to get a regular health screening for that disease. The earlier any disease is detected, the more your health care provider can help you stay healthy.
Now, I wonder what a spiritual screening test would show up on your chart. A mass of crankiness, resentment, jealousy or worse the need for revenge. In preparing for any medical tests, we are asked to put on a paper gown and sit on the cold gurney waiting for the technicians to perform their tests. Regretfully, most women are quite familiar with the discomfort of certain tests. My recommendation, find a tech who knows what they are doing to make this experience more comfortable.
We are told that God will examine our lives at the end of time. Instead of dreading this final exam, and the outcome of His tests. Now might be a good time to get back into spiritual shape and workout those areas of our lives that need a reconditioning. In taking care of our heart, we might think of it as a pump with lots of pipes. If we put to much pressure on the pump or pipes, something might blow.
Where are you suffering spiritual pressure? This might be a time to find a good tech, or spiritual director to help you examine your spiritual health with the goal of cleaning out your pipes so that the grace of God’s mercy might flow more smoothly in your veins.
God prays for us as we reflect: " Behold, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” (Jeremiah 33:6).
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose pipes are filled with memories of crud that block Your healing. Help us to find a spiritual director, a good tech whose is gentle and understanding and inspires us to better spiritual health.
