I watched a video of one of my favorite musicians, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, (“IZ”), last night. He has the best Hawaiian music of anyone that I have ever heard, and when in Hawaii, his music is playing practically everywhere that you go. To say that he was obese would be an understatement. He went to another island for a concert and they had to use a forklift to get him on an airplane and put him onboard through the cargo door where food is loaded. He took up two seats on the plane.
He could barely walk with the help of a cane and friends. He died about nine years ago at a very young age. His obesity is what killed him. The video had interviews with him and he discussed the possibility of dying and the problems associated with his mammoth body. He made light of it and basically stated that he was not afraid to die. I know that he was a self-professed Christian and it is somewhat comforting to know that he is now singing praises in heaven, but I could not help but wonder why he would not do something about it. He left behind a wife and young daughter whom he loved very much. Why wouldn’t he go on a diet, exercise, try surgery, hypnosis, whatever, to correct his problems? I wonder if he really thought he would die from overeating before he was 40 years old. He was such a talented person, it is such a shame.
“Iz” is no exception. Obesity is everywhere one looks. It is one of the leading problems in the United States. I wonder if they just think that all of the maladies associated with it such as heart disease will not happen to them. Likewise I walk around airports and see people crowded into little smoke-filled rooms smoking cigarettes that they know are going to kill them. Why would anyone in this day and age smoke? I wonder if they have ever seen anyone die from cancer. It is very painful and quite gruesome. Why do people drink themselves into a drunken stupor and then get behind the wheel of a car? Why does someone stick a needle in their arm, or snort cocaine up their nose? Why take a chance on getting AIDS by engaging in sexual immorality?
Are the consequences of gluttony, smoking, drug use, alcohol abuse, sexual immorality etc. really taken into account? Or, do most people think that, “It will never happen to me”? Unless one is suicidal and they are deliberately trying to kill themselves with such conduct, I think that most people think that they will just keep on getting away with it. Can we lead a charmed life? Not likely. The Bible is very clear that destruction will come to those who worship their belly and earthly things, (Philippians 3:19). There is hope for us through Jesus Christ, but we have to go to Him for help. He should be number one in our lives, not food, alcohol, drugs, sex, money or other worldly things.
He tells us our bodies are temples and we should treat them as such.
Need some help with your willpower?
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Phil. 4:13
I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.