This week, I got to thinking about necessary change that needs to take place in the church and how difficult that can be sometimes.  I suddenly realized, in the midst of this thought, that God has given me the perfect illustration of what it takes to see positive change take place in life...

Recently, I have had to deal with some health issues that not that many years ago I would not even have dreamt of.  A few years back (I'm 51+ years old now), I began getting an annual checkup on or around my birthday.  I thought that this was a good thing to do, since I was soon to be approaching the 50 mark.  For that past several years, all has gone well.  Even my cholestrol (which always seems to be a problem for us Pegrams) was under control!  But then, this past summer, I got some not so good news.  My blood sugar levels were spiking ... out of the normal range.  My physician immediately put me on a low dose of Metformin (which those of you with diabetes probably know all too well).

The doctor--the expert in health issues, by the way--gave me some advice.  I basically had one of two choices.  I could either take the attitude that I was going to do something about this, following his instructions for changes that needed to take place in my life, thus gaining better health in the process.  Or, I could take the attitude of far too many people (according to my doctor) and just bide my time and ask for a pill--permanently.

I decided (and I believe wisely so) to take my doctor's advice--again, the expert in health issues.  (Why would you--if someone has gone to school and trained as long as doctors have to--not take their advice, since they are the experts in their fields?)  He told me that I would have to do two things that would help move me back to good health and out of the danger of diabetes affecting me in negative ways:

1. I would have to drop a bit of weight.  I was too heavy.  I'd been too heavy for quite some time ... and I knew it.  My health issues were now forcing a change that should have taken place a long time ago.  (Why are we so stubborn when it comes to lifestyle changes?)  So I met with a dietician, was educated in how I should be eating (to get my blood sugar down) and was told that that would probably take care of my weight, too.
2. I would have to discipline myself to exercise regularly--even a 30-minute walk a day.  I walked occasionally before this, but not in a disciplined way.  Now, my health seemed to depend upon it.

Well, guess what?  The 'experts' were right ... about everything they told me.  I went on the new diet (very satisfying, by the way) and not only have I gotten my blood sugar under control, but I've dropped the pounds, too ... and feel so much better (in every way).  I've added regular exercise to my new lifestyle (though it still needs improvement) and that has helped keep my blood sugar under control, too!  Amazing, isn't it?  I followed the advice off the experts, needing to make changes in my life that would assure me a healthier tomorrow ... and it's working!  But, do you know what I had to do before any of this would work?  I had to make up my mind to do the right thing...  That's it.

The Church today--most established churches anyway--are in dire need of some necessary changes to be healthy and grow.  The United Methodist Church in particular is busy dying a slow death.  That is not just a rumor.  That is fact.  So why, in the face of this fact, are we so slow to change ... or even open to necessary changes taking place?  Outside observers may think that we just don't care about the Church anymore.  But, I don't think that's true ... any more than it would be true to say that I don't care about my life.  I don't know about you, but my health is very important to me.  It has to do with longevity of life ... and quality of life while I'm here on this planet.  And, I want to be at my very best for God!  I'll be held accountable for that.  Well, it's the same with the Church.  The last figure I heard was that the United Methodist Church has 44 years left ... if something doesn't change.  That's not very long.  But, if we will just--first and foremost--make up our mind to do the right thing ... I believe the rest will fall into place.  I've helped to grow churches before (and what's healthy grows).  That's what God's called me to do.  But, will that be allowed in the future?  We need a change of lifestyle.  We need to change the way we do things.  We have the greatest message of truth this world has ever seen or heard of!  That doesn't need to change.  But, how we go about sharing that with a world that's hurting and desperately in need of some Good News ... is up to us.

Until next time, Rom