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28th February 2024
"WednesdayReflection"
"DONOVAN CARPER offers"
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3 "Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish."
Psalms 146: 3-4
What is our hope?
What hope do we have in this life or in this world?
I blog about fitness and health, as we can make the most of the hand we have been dealt in life by wisely cultivating health promoting choices and habits.
Will science lead us to a golden age of peace, love, and happiness?
If the past is any indication of the future, the answer is a robust "no."
First of all, science is incapable of providing guidance on morality, such is not within the scope or purpose of science.
Sean Carroll, a theoretical physicist notes:
"The big problems of morality, to state the obvious, come about because the interests of different individuals come into conflict.
Even if we somehow agreed perfectly on what constituted the well-being of a single individual - it would generically be the case that no achievable configuration of the world provided perfect happiness for everyone"
Any argument for rights, duties, obligations, and distribution of limited resources is going to encountered by arguments that those rights, duties, obligations, and limited resources are to be extended or allocated elsewhere.
Science cannot answer these questions.
Are humans "basically good?"
The past strongly suggests otherwise.
Many people think the Nazi movement was an exception in history, a freak occurrence where the worst conditions imaginable conspired together to create a singular example of the darkest potential held within human capabilities.
However, a quick study of history tells you that such dark horrors are not the exception for human movements - instead, they are common and have occurred both before and after World War II.
In fact, mass extortion and genocide occurred throughout known history.
Can we trust organized religion?
"Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
John 18: 36, NKJV
Many churches purposefully ignore Christ's example and teachings.
Jesus himself grew up under the thumb of the Roman Dictatorship.
He did not raise up a rebellion against Rome.
Nor did he attempt to overthrow the corrupt leadership of the Jewish leaders of his day.
He rejected attempts to make him king.
He famously replied when asked about paying taxes to the oppressive Roman government
"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's"
Mark 12:17; NKJV
In whom do we trust?
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."
Ps 28: 7; NKJV
If you say, "I trust in myself," I ask you to reflect how many times your desires have led you down a path you later regretted?
As Jesus teaches:
"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
Instead, our duty in this life is summarized by Jesus:
"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets"
Matt 22: 37-40; NKJV
What if that means hardship?
As Paul notes, following Jesus is NEVER a guarantee of an easy life.
"And yet I show you a more excellent way."
"Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, etc.
And yet, Paul also tells us:
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
Indeed, a duty to learn His ways, His commandments, to learn about His truths and works, to teach others, and to put these things into action to help others - such are the examples left to us by Jesus and His disciples.
Then, on that day of our inevitable death, we hope to hear
'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
My name is Donovan Carper.
As a master's prepared registered nurse and ACE-certified personal trainer, my goal is to share research-backed mind/ body optimizing tips!
I have devoted my life and career to learning about disease prevention, management, and treatment.
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