I watch two and three TV programs at once most of the time, manually editing out the commercials, most of which are not worth watching. Did you know the US is the only country in the world that advertises medicines? Personally, those commercials scare me. First, the message infers that you need to tell your doctor you have to have this medication for what ails you. I guess that’s normal procedure after you’ve properly self-diagnosed your symptoms. Then at the end of the uplifting dialog of promises explaining how this particular product is going to improve your life, when taken as directed, there comes a list of side-effects that should convince anyone the ailment is probably less life threatening than the cure. …Now, back to our regularly scheduled article. The other night I was bouncing between two shows one being “101 Gadgets That Changed The World”. Did you know that the sealed tin can with its pasteurized contents was invented and used long before the can opener? For many years the only way to get into a can of corn was to hammer and chisel your way in. WWII GI’s were a hungry bunch and many were injuring themselves opening sea rations with bayonets and pocket knives. The P38 can opener was eventually supplied to the fighting men by the tens of thousands. Why was it called the P38 can opener? I’m glad you asked because I have the answer. It took 38 twists of the wrist to navigate the opener around the top of the average sea ration can. The number was more important than one would presume. If you went beyond 38 twists, 40 in all, you would remove the top from the can producing more trash and a dangerous sharp piece of metal on the ground. So, 38 twists, open the lid, eat, and fold the lid back into the can. Safety first during wartime.
As we travel life’s way we find ourselves adding “things” to our life all the time to “improve” our lifestyle. Sometimes we do it without knowing why, just needing to keep up with the Jones’ so to speak. Then there are people who have no clue what’s going on. A person was standing in line at the Post Office and overheard the clerk explain to the customer, “You’ll have to put another stamp on this letter. It’s too heavy.” Puzzled, the customer replied, “And that will make it lighter?”
[2 Peter 1:3-8] When asked what he had learned in all the years of his marriage Albert replied, “Well, I’ve learned that marriage is the best teacher of all. It teaches you loyalty, meekness, self-restraint, forgiveness and a great many other qualities I wouldn’t have needed if I had stayed single.” Peter says as we enter into a covenant with God we can be assured that God “…has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” To live a spiritually gifted life, one of a divine nature, that will allow us to escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires and enjoy the great and precious promises given by God, we have to add some things to our faithful lifestyle even though we may feel faith is plenty. Peter says we must add to our faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. I don’t need all these things in a dog eat dog world. Can you see why a great change comes over those who truly commit themselves to the Lord? You might make fun of them now, but think about what a wonderful world we would live in if everyone strived to accomplish these eight goals of righteous living. Eternal joy will be my reward.
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