Being All You Can Be

I, along with hundreds of millions of us, am cautiously breathing with more ease now that the blown out well in the Gulf of Mexico appears to be plugged abating a potential Revelationish plague.  We are being reminded that now that the flow has ceased there are still major remaining after effects. It’s just like stopping a sinful behavior. We stop. God forgives. But the aftermath, the natural fruit, continues on. We can stop mistreating people but instant harmonious relationships don’t begin the next day.  We can stop smoking but healthy lungs don’t miraculous fill our chests.

A teen once told me he was thrilled with the Gospel.  Since he was young and it took several years to destroy his young healthy body he was going to try everything.  When he was in his thirties he would give his life to Jesus, be forgiven and thus will have had the best of both lifestyles.  Really? Should he live to his chosen reformation year he will have to deal with the aftermath of broken relationships, addictions not so easily set aside, and impaired abilities.  Actually there is a larger issue.  Who says an unhealthy lifestyle that focuses on self-gratification at the expense of others is something to be desired? Is there really a best to that?

The U. S. Army used to have a great slogan. “Be all that you can be.”

Should he have attempted his divided life he could never be all that he could have been.  If you begin a journey with a cup half full you will never be what or where you would have been had you begun the journey with a full cup. The aftermath will always be there.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 5, 2010

Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org