I saw my surgeon on Monday of last week, one day prior to what turned out to be a double bypass. We discussed many things, but what impressed me the most was his desire to "fix" my problem. He was more passionate about achieving his goal than I might have expected from a professional who had been saving lives for twenty-five years.
The reasons for his great concern were revealed, however, when he told me that my damage was based on genetics. I had made poor lifestyle decisions in my days, but I was assured that the damage I had was passed down from previous generations. The good doctor proceeded to tell me about his own family history, which included the loss of a couple of brothers to heart attacks at young ages. One nearly took his own life as well.
What I learned from the surgeon that day was that we all inherit certain things that can kill us. They are just hanging around, waiting for a random day to wreak havoc. I could have eaten perfectly and worked out regularly, but it would not likely have changed the chain of events that my heart put into motion a couple of weeks back. But, if I had really considered the seriousness of my genes, I would have already been dealing with the problem by seeing a cardiologist before I had problems. I would have been having regular tests done which heart specialists could look at and deal with before I was ripe to receive my inheritance. I was aware of my genetic history, but apparently didn't take it seriously enough to deal with. I might not have even thought I cared what was going on inside of me; but the resultant surgery and pain makes me wish I had. Fortunately I am still alive after the revolt of my very own heart. And you think you can trust your organs.
I realize that there is a great deal of discussion in philosophical and religious circles about whether man is born good or evil, or whether or not he is born with original sin--but I don't think we really have to formulate a precise doctrine on the issue one way or another to understand what matters and to deal with it.
It is this: every single one of us has a heart that tends to (at least at some point in life) put its own interests above everything else. For some, these moments are rare; but for none are they nonexistent. Each and every person who walks the face of the earth has inherited a heart that will eventually demand its own way. And in that moment, it will be exposing the reality that it is a defective heart.
The question then, is this: do I really care that I have a spiritual heart condition that is capable of rising up on one unexpected day, bringing great pain into my spiritual life? Do I care enough about my genetics to regularly stand before the eternal physician and let Him expose my weaknesses so that they might be fixed? ...so that they can be rendered powerless?
Does it matter? And do I even care?
If I say "no" to either of those questions, I might suggest that the damage has already begun.
So, please, go to the doctor.
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