Blood, Sweat, and Tears

I hate to sweat! I absolutely hate it. It runs down in my eyes and stings, it makes me stink, and it chaffs my legs. I hate to sweat!

I have recently been convicted of my sin of gluttony. I confess to using food to deal with life instead of trusting in God alone. I have been known to say things like, "Chocolate chip cookies can fix anything." I know people understand that I'm joking, but it still points to a deeper hunger in me - since childhood, food has been my survival tool. I have comfort foods like many of us do. If I'm sick, I want chicken noodle soup. If I'm depressed, I want chocolate. If I feel unloved, nothing says love to me better than a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. Food and I have wrestled for control of my life for years.

I am not alone in my struggle. Obesity rates in America have been rising steadily and show no signs of reversing any time soon. If a recent study by Duke Divinity School, Duke Medical Center, Duke University Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research, and Duke Global Health Institute is to be believed, the obesity rates among clergy are significantly higher than among others.

The obesity rate among clergy aged 35-64 was 39.7%, 10.3% higher than their NC counterparts. Clergy also reported significantly higher rates of having ever being given diagnoses of diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, angina, and asthma compared to their NC peers. Health interventions that address obesity and chronic disease among clergy are urgently needed... These interventions should focus on decreasing obesity and chronic disease. Churches and other religious institutions have often been viewed as structures in which to enact health interventions. However, this study’s findings indicate that it is critical to improve the health of clergy themselves. (taken from Proeschold-Bell, R.J., & LeGrand, S. (2010). High rates of obesity and chronic disease among United Methodist clergy. Obesity, 18(9), 1867-1870.)

Now, enrolled in the program developed by Duke for clergy know as "Spirited Life", I am more than ever convicted that every bite that goes into our mouths makes a difference. Even small changes in our lifestyles can make HUGE differences in our health. I am committed to this program, yet challenged everyday. Part of the program is walking 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week. As I mentioned above, I hate to sweat. Yet now I have to sweat ALOT! 

As I was grumbling about that to God this morning, I received a message. It came into my mind that Jesus Christ did a whole lot more than just sweat for me. He bled and died for me. Why can't I sweat to make myself into a more effective servant of my Savior? He sacrificed his life for me. Why can't I sacrifice dessert in order to care for the temple of his Spirit, my body. He cared for the poor and lost. Why can't I support local farmers and markets, instead of giving my money to big business by the food choices I make?

Food matters, but my relationship with Jesus Christ matters more. Each choice I make is a testimony to the power of Christ in my life. Jesus is Lord. Chocolate chip cookies are just a sugary treat that has no place in my life until I am the size God intended, and then only in moderation. Did you know that the bakeries and stores that sell my favorite foods aren't going away? They will still be there after I bring my eating under the authority of Christ!

^{I Corinthians 15} Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ?...¹⁹ Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, ²⁰ for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Join me in sweating for Jesus, and please pray for me and all clergy as we embark on this journey to health and wholeness.

The power of Jell-O

As I sit in my husband's hospital room, they bring his evening meal and I see the ever-present Jell-O with just a dab of whipped cream, and I'm taken back to times I've been ill and my caregivers faithfully administered the sweet, slippery, easy to eat gelatin. There's no ailment for which Jell-O isn't the cure! As I got older, the Jell-O became more complicated. There was the orange fluff - a concoction with whipped cream and marshmallows and mandarin oranges and God only knows what else! My all time favorite is the infamous "Watergate" salad - don't know what the name implies - that also involves whippiness and pistachio pudding and, again, no one knows what else. 

When friends or church members are sick, we take Jell-O dishes called congealed salads. These involve fruit or vegetable additions to the luscious gel. Thanksgiving usually calls for a cranberry-Jell-O mixture of some sort. It's everywhere! But, does it heal?

I think Jell-O has healed many people - not because of the flavor or recipe - but because of the love behind the gift! It says to the sick person, "I don't really know what to say or do, but I thought you could use some Jell-O." It's kind of the "kiss-it-and-make-it-better" phenomenon. It may just be a placebo, but who's to say a little love well applied doesn't go a long way toward healing?  When people are sick, they often are frustrated often by their weakness or inability to take care of themselves. They draw comfort and healing in the fact that there is someone who cares enough to help them in their weakness.

My faith in Jesus Christ gives me comfort and strength in my weakness - but sometimes it's really nice to have one of his angels show up with Jell-O!