Nelson spread his arms wide as the car door slammed. “Hey! ‘Bout time you showed up. I was afraid the fish would fall asleep by the time you got here.”
Harold put his supplies into the boat. “Yeah my bad, I stopped by the doctors on the way. You know how Lisa’s been getting on me about that.”
Nelson looked up from his bait box, “Uh-oh, what’s wrong.”
“Just found out that I have extremely high blood pressure. And I guess he found it just in time. Cause you know it fatal.”
Nelson pushed against the dock, propelling the boat out into the lake. “What, were you getting dizzy or something?”
“No, that’s just it. I felt, and feel fine. That’s the tricky thing about it, you know? Like you don’t know it’s high until you get tested. But at least now I can work with the doc to control it.”
The men sat in silence for a while.
“You should get tested Nel.”
“I’m fine, trust me. I know my body and I’ve never felt better.” Nelson stretched out on the boat and tilted his hat over his eyes.
“Yeah but it’s not always about how you feel. Look I’m serious…”
“Quiet Harold! You’ll scare the fish away.”
Little did Nelson know, his blood pressure far exceeded healthy levels. And in a months time, his life would be demanded from him.
Sad isn’t it? Nelson could have done something to lower his blood pressure. But he just wasn’t aware that anything was wrong with him. He didn’t recognize that he needed help.
The benefit of embracing checkups allows us to better understand our health. When we understand how to take care of our bodies, we can walk in better health.
For some people, poor health is obvious. They know hey need a doctor and they seek their advice with gratitude.
For others, it’s not so obvious. Hypertension is known as the “silent killer”. You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms or pain. High blood pressure can only be detected by a doctor. You must get checked, and then work with your doctor, trusting the recommendations you may not even feel like you need.
Similarly, if we embrace the identity Christ so graciously offers us, we will walk in better understanding of Who He is and who we are. When we understand this, we can grow confidently in His love, peace, will, and purpose.
For some, the fact that they need Jesus is obvious. They are involved in addictions and lifestyles that are painfully killing them. So they may seek Jesus with gratitude, and experience apparent change.
For others, their condition may not be so apparent. They may have successful careers, an amazing family, fame and fortune. Their innate and desperate need for Him seems symptomless; while unbeknownst to them, their soul is silently dying.
Just a hypertension gives no symptoms of high blood pressure, we can cruise through life without any apparent need for a relationship with Jesus. Everything seems to be going well, until we face an abrupt end. Jesus put it this way, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:21 NLT)
What’s the solution? The only way someone knows they have high blood pressure is by getting a physical checkup. In like manner, the only way to know if your soul is dying is by getting a spiritual check up.
But unlike high blood pressure, where you won’t see any obvious change once you get treated, surrendering your life to Jesus will bring you into glorious transformation.
You will become a completely brand new person! A child of God! Getting to know and understand all of His mysteries! You will be overwhelmed with His kindness, wisdom, and understanding. And when hard times come, He helps you get through them all. You will be able to cast every single one of your cares on Him. And He will empower and equip you to live a life of love, joy and peace.
So what are you waiting for?
Will you get your spiritual check up?
Or will you fall prey to the silent killer?
“Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:16-21 NLT)
