Today when I was reflecting on scripture I was struck by the opposite forces we experience in deciding to focus on the things of God. So why should we focus on the things and ways of God? Well, not considering the obvious reason of “where I might want to spend eternity”, the idea of just plain “experiencing health” is a good reason. I can focus on Jesus by many means but it is something I have to try to do. I don’t naturally drift in that direction. Fortunately the Holy Spirit nudges me in that direction. Paul says that we can’t even say “Jesus is Lord” without the influence of the Holy Spirit. The idea here is to be so focused on Jesus that I’m immediately responsive to what He wants. The image Ps 123 uses is “like the eyes of slaves fixed on the master’s hand”. I must confess I am rarely so focused on what Jesus is doing in my life.
On the other hand is that pesky thing called “temptation”. Paul, in trying to explain spiritual gifts to the Corinthians and how the Holy Spirit is at work reminds them “you remember that when you were irresistibly drawn to dumb idols”. That’s us. You and me. Irresistibly drawn to really dumb things that make us ill, ill in body, mind and spirit. And they are idols because we prefer to focus on them rather than gaze at the hands of Jesus to be able to anticipate His next move so I can immediately respond.
So there is the contrast. I am “nudged”, “prompted”, “influenced” to follow Jesus during the day or I am “irresistibly drawn” to dumb idols (you know, food, drink, bad relationships, lousy television and internet content, resentment, anger). One way leads to health, the other to illness.
As I see patients day after day, I see this battle. Few patients really see it as a spiritual battle, you know, eating and drinking the wrong stuff and sitting on the couch instead of exercising, but it is. That’s why spiritual health is the foundation of all health. May you have a good time gazing on Jesus today.