Over J-term, our chapel series is “Ethics, health, and wellness.” It’s always interesting to see where the chaple speaker will take the message. Today the Gospel message was from Numbers 21:6-9.
“Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.” -Taken from the New International Version Bible
The text that came prior to this passage talks about the complaints the people of Israel made as they wandered through the desert resulting in a God who was angry enough to send venomous snakes.
People coomplain. It’s part of life. Everyone does it. (Well, I know I do anyway.) What we have isn’t good enough. It’s not what we wanted and if we get what we actually wanted, we find something to complain about anyway.
Look at everything that God has given you. A house, friends, food on the table (and in the cupboard), clothes, health and what do we give in return? A long list of complaints, it’s no wonder that God was mad!
In the age of fast pace and convenience we are becoming (ok we’re really already there) an obese nation. Why eat healthy when stopping at McDonalds is faster and easier? Why walk when we can drive and get there in a fraction of the time?
Well citizens of the US – we are becoming the first generation that will live longer than our children will. With poor diet and a lack of excercise our kids are heavier and more prone to diseases. We’re asking for ways to be set free from the diseases we’ve thrown upon ourselves, but we want a quick fix not a lifestyle change.
The answer is simple really: eat healthier, excercise more.
What do we do with that answer? Complain. It’s what we’re good at after all!
What more of a poisonous snake do you want than knowing your children will not live as long as you will because of the diseases our culture has become ok with?
You have the power to make change, it’s up to you to decide what you want to do with that power.
