Over And Over And Over And...

Hebrews 10:11-25

I saw a post on Facebook the other day which read: If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and not getting results I've decided that to keep my sanity I'm going to stop cleaning the house.I got a chuckle from that post, and obviously it sunk a little deeper than most other posts if I can recall it. Maybe it had a lasting an effect on me because it rang true; maybe too true.

How often do we try to accomplish something thinking we can do it the same way we always have. If I want to lose weight I'll go on a diet and when my weight goal is met I'll be okay. I need to get in shape so I'll start running, this afternoon. I need a raise this year so I'm going to start working extra hard and put in more hours. I need a partner in life so I'll go find one at the gym.

I've been to these places and can tell you I'm still out of shape, overweight, and haven't had a raise in years. Maybe, just maybe, I'm not making the necessary changes in a more concrete way. That's it, I just need to try harder.

Perhaps these things aren't working out because I haven't fully understood why I should make these changes. Yes, making these changes would help me live a healthier life, but is that reason enough. Why would my living a healthier life even matter?

I made a promise to people around me that I would walk with them through the bad times in their lives and share with them in the good times. In order to do this I need to be as healthy as I possibly can be. I made a promise to God that I will do my best to build God's kingdom. I have to remain healthy to do that as well.

Please don't get me wrong, I'm healthy. I'm nowhere near being sick or close to being unavailable to those around me. Except for the hassle of getting over a small flu I'm just fine. The point I'm trying to make is that if we keep doing things for the same reasons and in the same way we're going to get the same results. The point I'm trying to make is if we expect things to be better we need to find ways for them to be better.

Maybe this illustration will help. In Ohio, where there was a true political battle for the presidency of the United States, The Democratic candidate won by a margin of 2%. Not much, I know. When we take a look into the numbers, however, we see that the Democrat won as a result of a majority of the African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Young People, and Women voting for him. In fact, the women voted for the democrat by a margin of 12% in Ohio and 18% overall nationally. So what do you think was the first piece of legislation the Ohio State House passes; a law which cuts funding to Planned Parenthood which overwhelmingly assists women in their healthcare needs especially as it pertains to reproduction.

If we continue to do the same things in the same ways for the same reasons we will continue to get the same results. We need to come together as one people, somehow, and learn to listen, communicate, and give of ourselves for the betterment of others.