Something in the refrigerator sounds like it would be a great snack. You take the item, put it into the microwave and proceed to take a bite when it's hot. The first thing that doesn't seem right is the smell. But, you get past it and take a bite. You immediately spit it out and make the final decision that this left over should be dumped. So, you go back to the refrigerator, pull out another dish and begin the process all over. Same results! Not looking good for snack time. Eventually your desire for a snack wanes and you choose a piece of fruit like you should have in the first place. But who let the food go bad?
Now substitute the word snack with gossip. The same scenario goes on like this one with food. Gossip doesn't stop. Let's try one more word as a substitute. How about anger or impatient? I've had problems over the years that everyone seems to share. I've been better some days and worse other days. The old cycle often kicks in even before I have my morning coffee. Luckily I'm able to journal and wrap my head around the day and what I can expect. What started as a nourishing snack ended with a life lesson of what we do and how we react.
There are solid predictable events in our lives. I will feed the dogs, refill their water, make coffee, take my medications and give the dogs theirs are just a few. We are people of habitual behavior. Our habits can be as strong as any other emotion we feel. Perhaps even our emotion called love. We don't like to think of our responses as automatic or habitual. In that context the feelings seem cold and lacking. It's important to let spontaneous moments crash the party of our life. Should we just be relegated to doing the predictable we miss the moment. When we miss the moment we have regrets that follow us.
Change is difficult when we are not uncomfortable with the taste of food at the beginning of old age. Change is near impossible for certain areas of our lives. Some of the change may even not reach that threshold where we are concerned enough to change things in our lives. My habits are both a stumbling block for me and sometimes the only redeeming quality it seems I have. What makes the difference in our lives? Do we want to go on eating spoiling food? Do we want to remain in a cycle that is destined to ruin our relationships? Just what is the cost of change?
That was a question of the religious during the time of Jesus and up to today. What is the cost? It's the wrong question but we ask it about ourselves every day. We are not satisfied with our day and it's contents day after day after day. Yet, we go to jobs we don't like, drive cars that are breaking down and leave the house yet again failing to kiss our spouse goodbye. Should something happen to us before we can change the mistake, there is nothing but loss all around.
That's what happened when Jesus died. Everyone around Jerusalem reverted to their previous life of habit and "safe" behavior. Not for long though. When Jesus rose from the dead something happened to men and women. They changed. Not just a little bit. They totally changed in that moment. For some like the disciples the change altered their lives in such a way that they would later die for what they believed For others the change was temporary and didn't last. Still for others there was no change at all. Their hearts had hardened and wouldn't allow anything to dissuade them.
What is it for you? Are you going to go on eating that which tastes funny or are you going to go with the new stuff? It's your choice and your life. Choose today that which you know to be true. Go with what is the best for you and everyone in your life. Don't be fooled by those who want you to stay who they want you to be. If someone won't support your change, let them have less input into your life. If you choose to let Jesus have your heart; make it ALL of your heart.
It's your choice. Make it taste great!
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