Goodness Gracious!

by TerryLema

I had my yearly required Medicare physical a couple weeks ago. I love my doctor.  She is great and will tell it like it is, explain things, answer any question I might have, and help me to formulate ways of caring for myself apart from just prescribing more medicine. At this appointment, we reviewed everything and then she said something I shall never forget. “Don’t lose any more weight.”

I just stared at her. Huh? She then asked what was wrong. I told her that in my nearly 72 years, that was the first time any doctor had ever told me not to lose any weight! She laughed and said that since I’m “aging” (there’s that tell it like it is part of her), I need to maintain a small cushion of weight in case I get seriously sick.

The thing is I feel good at this lower weight, and a side benefit is that I’m looking good also.  I have more energy and can do a lot more.  Feel good. Look good. Do good.

Last Sunday we continued our study out of 2 Peter 1:3-8 … adding to our faith, goodness.  Unfortunately, we don’t really recognize true biblical goodness any more.  We dwell on feeling good, looking good and sometimes, even on doing good.  But God’s requirement is that we be good.  Scriptural goodness is moral goodness.

Peter uses a Greek word for goodness (arete) that describes essential, intrinsic goodness. It is what we are when no one is looking.  Where and how do we develop that kind of goodness?  More tomorrow!

 

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