Why health?

Teach us to number our days

Psalm 90, ascribed to Moses, was part of my chronological Bible reading today.

I have been pondering the rightful place of health and wellness in our lives. Yes, tremendous ignorance and deception in our understanding of health and wellness have been exposed in the last three years. I’d argue people’s vulnerability to go from one deception to another in these areas has also been exposed.

I’ve been considering the ways we have all, physicians included, been deceived and it has primarily been in the areas of safety and effectiveness of various therapeutics. If something is relatively safe, there is not much lost in attempting a therapeutic other than time and money. If it is not effective, the time and money lost can be quite a precious waste. If is not effective and not safe, it is a risk of time, money, and, most importantly, health that is not worth taking. Only when effectiveness (or benefit) outweighs cost (or risk) is the therapeutic worth considering.

As people abandon certain categories of therapeutics, because they’ve been deceived, I still observe lack of discernment as they latch onto new therapeutics. I observe lack of proper diagnosis on the part of practitioners who recommend certain therapeutics and I hear nonsensical explanations of mechanism which sound good but leave the ignorant vulnerable to deception.

People are willing to spend profound amounts of time and money on their health. They can be quite evangelical about what they think works best. They can also be quite judgemental of those they think are not “doing it right.” It can all become quite expensive, time-consuming, and even divisive.

That was a long preface to the consideration of what motivates us regarding our health and wellness. What is the proper view of health and wellness for the Christian? If we believe Psalm 139:16, “in Your book were written all the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them,” our interventions are not going to change our lifespan. We are required to shepherd the resources the Lord has given us and our bodies and health are included in that. We do want to feel well enough to serve and enjoy this gift of life that we have been given. I don’t advocate complete abandonment of any concern for personal health and wellness. I just wonder if we have gotten our concern for it out of balance, especially in light of our true calling, as Christians, to know Jesus and make Him known?

Psalm 90 this morning was timely in view of this pondering. Moses acknowledges, “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.” Given that this life ends for each and every one of us, it is worth contemplating the inevitable meeting of God and how to be right with Him (through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus): “Who understands the power of Your anger And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?” Moses prays, “So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” And then He asks God to teach us how we should spend our days, “Let Your work appear to Your servants And Your majesty to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.”

I pray we would have wisdom and discernment regarding time and resources spent pursuing health and wellness. I pray we would not be vulnerable to deception from those who stand to profit from our concerns. I pray we would use our bodies and our days in such a way to honor and glorify our Lord, ultimately trusting Him for the outcome.

I received an e-mail today from a friend who is celebrating 50 years since his and his wife’s commissioning for the mission field. He shared with me the two hymns sung at that service. They seemed wholly appropriate given today’s personal musings.

First:

I do not know what lies ahead,
The way I cannot see.
But One stands near to be my Guide,
He’ll show the way to me.

I do not know how many days,
Of life are mine to spend,
But One who knows it, cares for me,
Will keep me to the end.

I do not know the course ahead,
What joys and griefs are there,
But One is near who fully knows,
I’ll trust His loving care.

I know who holds the future, and He’ll guide me with His hand.
With God things don’t just happen, everything by Him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow with its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles, give to Him my all.

Second:

For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.
To hold His hand and walk the narrow way.
There is no peace, no joy, no thrill,
Like walking in His will.
For me to live is Christ , to die is gain.

Now there are things that I still do not know,
But of this one thing, I’m completely sure.
He who saved me on that day, washed all my sins away,
For me to live is Christ to die is gain.

Amen. Teach us to number our days so that we may present to You a heart of wisdom, dear Lord.