Wednesday, January 9, 2019

The Health Guy


I’ve been watching this video series from this health guy who gives the scientific approach to raising energy levels.  He gets into how to build up your cells internally, by increasing the number of mitochondria—the energy engine—in your cells.

Now I always watch these guys with suspicion because I know that in the end, they are just trying to sell us something—which he has already admitted is his goal. I never buy into their programs, but the interesting thing about this guy is that he does—for free—break down some of the science in his introductory videos.

Of course, as in so many cases, he spends a lot of words to say something that could be said much more simply.

Things like—routine exercise, coupled with intensity, such as weight lifting or sprinting, can help people who are sedentary.  Fasting now and again can be good for the average person (who doesn’t have other health concerns.)  

Basic stuff.

We do this with religion as well.  We use a lot of words—sometimes expensive words—to say things that could be said much more simply.

This can be challenging to people who are, maybe for the first time, dipping their toe into the water of faith.  Complicating this, we tend to use language that is totally unfamiliar, while making the assumption that everyone knows what we are talking about.

I believe that this contributes to the reason so many people either do not step deeper into their faith, or live at a very surface level.

I can say with certainty that as a beginner, some of the documents we encounter, or concepts we try to learn, are extremely challenging.  Also with certainty, I can guarantee that with increased familiarity, comprehension improves as well.

Growing in your faith almost requires learning a new language, so like learning Spanish or French or whatever, it takes time and patience.  We don’t learn it over night.  But is it worth investing our time and energy?  Well, yes, if you want to go to Spain or France or communicate in that language, and yes, if you want to grow in your faith and strengthen your foundation.

Where to begin?

Well, like any language, begin with the basics.  Like my health guy, break it down.  Whenever you read a new word, or hear some religious person say something you are unfamiliar with, find out what it means.

Also, sometimes it really helps just to dive in.  What interests you when it comes to faith or religion?  Do you want to know who believes what, or do you want to know what motivated a popular religious figure?  Are you looking to see why your church practices the way it does, teaches what it does?

Maybe you are interested in worship music.  How does it add to a service?  What is its role in worship?

Maybe you need someone to walk you through social areas you are concerned with, or how you can participate in various events.

Don’t wait for an invitation.

These are all ways to dip your toe into the shallow end, which is where we all begin.  As a youth, you don’t get thrown into the deep end without knowing how to swim, but you get familiarized with the water from a level that is comfortable first.

I encourage you today to think about where your interests are when it comes to faith and explore them.  What you will discover is a wide, wide world that can transform you at your very core.

Like the health guy trying to introduce his listeners to some basic ideas about how to get healthy, you, too, will improve your spiritual health when you open yourself up to the language of faith and some new experiences.

And the added benefit is that you don’t have to worry about someone trying to sell you something in the end.  This is God’s free gift!

God bless,
Janet Cassidy
Janetcassidy.com

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