Photo courtesy https://www.flickr.com/photos/jronaldlee
So often the biggest barrier to better is me. I know the hard work that will have the big payoff. I find it hard to discipline myself and wish for the dramatic to push me there. Or should I?
We all know that exercise is good. I’ve known I need it and frequently. Even a little morning aerobic exercise provides a huge productivity boost. I’ve slowly come to recommit to a regular workout because a few inadvertent workouts reminded me of the value. But I have wondered if it wouldn’t have been better to get pushed into routine quickly and dramatically.
I’m rethinking dramatic circumstances, though, after reading through the biblical account of Jonah. He had exactly what I’ve thought I wanted. I had always pictured him as someone who drifted off course and then took time to get back where he needed to be. Then I noticed that Jonah 2:1 says that ‘then Jonah prayed…’ and pretty much immediately he was back on land and on course.
The time was consumed with drama avoiding the needed work. He:
- took a ship in the wrong direction,
- avoided investigation by crew until proven at fault,
- attempted assisted suicide,
- is kept alive by a giant fish with slow digestion,
- stubbornly waits three days to surrender and agree to do what he knew he should.
That makes me wonder what it would look like if our need for change were handled Jonah style. How many days of chest pain, stints or surgery would it take for us to make a commitment to change our diet or exercise? Or would we die first? We need to look for the small reminders that there is a better way.
Eventually, if we avoid the necessary long enough, the consequences will be dire. I can’t help but believe Jonah could have surrendered at step two and could have skipped the rest of the pain. So feel the urgency – don’t wait for dire consequences.
What has helped you the most to push you into action?
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