Luke 14:28-31 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? [Revised Standard translation]
Biblical Comment
The Bible encourages all of us to plan ahead, to carefully think about what we need to accomplish the task, to consider our strengths and weaknesses, to evaluate our present situation and, in general, to consider the “costs” in implementing and completing our goals. Two examples are given.
The first example is that of a person building a tower without planning ahead or taking the necessary steps to complete the job. The vision was there. In fact, the vision is lofty! This person does not want to build a mere house, but a tower! However, the execution is weak. Perhaps the person started building without a blueprint, or underestimated the cost of the building materials and ran out of funds. Perhaps he did not evaluate his own strengths and weaknesses and did not consider the physical or psychological sacrifices necessary to complete the task.
The second example given in Luke 14 is that of a king going to war. This example suggests that the stakes are high. During Biblical times losing a war, not only meant the end of the king’s reign but the destruction of a whole nation. Men were killed, women were widowed, children were orphaned and, once defeated, survivors were taken into captivity as slaves. Property, possessions and even religious freedoms were lost in times of war. Entering into war required careful consideration, counsel, and planning, because “everything” was at stake. For this reason, the king sought wise counsel from military experts, prophets, wise men and from GOD.
Health Tips For The Holidays
WebMD provides a number of tips for maintaining good healthy habits during the holidays. Some of these include the following:
- Never Arrive Hungry - New York psychologist Carol Goldberg, Ph.D., says planning ahead can help you maintain discipline in the face of temptation. "Don't go to a party when you're starving," she warns. Try to have a nutritious snack beforehand. If you do arrive hungry, drink some water to fill up before filling your plate.
- Divert Your Attention - Many people forget that there's more to a holiday party than food, Goldberg tells WebMD. "Don't look at the party as just a food event," she says. "Enjoy your friends' company or dancing. Focus on something other than food." "Take your mind off of food and focus on the conversation."
- Pace Yourself - Chewing more slowly will fill you up with less food…Munch at a leisurely pace and put your fork down between every bite. “This puts you in control.”
- Outsmart the Buffet - When dinner is served buffet-style, use the smallest plate available and don't stack your food; limit your helpings to a single story. "Go for the simplest foods on the buffet," "Fresh fruits and vegetables are good choices. Watch out for sauces and dips.
- Limit Alcohol - Avoid drinking too much alcohol at holiday parties. "It's not just about calories but about control," Susan Finn Ph.D., RD, chair of the American Council on Fitness and Nutrition, explains. "If you drink a lot, you won't have as much control over what you eat." If you feel out of place without a drink, Goldberg suggests sipping water or club soda, "so you have something to carry like everyone else." And, don’t drink and drive!
- Bring Your Own Treats - Whether you're going to a friend's party or an office potluck, consider bringing a low-calorie treat that you know you'll enjoy. Bringing your own dessert will make the more fattening alternatives less tempting. And don't feel your dessert has to be typical holiday fare. "Get away from rigid thinking about what holiday food has to be," Goldberg says. "People love fruit."
- Walk It Off - Make a new holiday tradition: the family walk. Besides burning some extra calories, this will get everyone away from the food for a while. "Get people off the couch and move," Finn says. "Go out for a walk as a family before or after the meal." She says walking not only benefits you physically but also puts you in a mindset to be more careful about what you eat. "There's something about activity that puts you in control."
See, www.webmd.com.
In addition to food planning, plan ahead financially. Create a budget. Focus on the spiritual. Don’t let others turn Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Advent and other spiritual holy days into just an excuse “to buy.” Don’t allow the store ads, the numerous internet sales offers, and other marketing ploys designed to get you to spend money, whether you can afford to or not, to “shop you.”
Have some meaningful discussions about what Holy days mean to you, with your family and those with whom you worship. Discuss the importance of making it through the end of the year, they may challenge you and your loved ones overcame, explain the importance of gathering together with family or giving to those in need. Look at past photos with young children, teens, and other members of the family so everyone can see just how far you have come. Review the “Biblical stories.” Talk about GOD. Ask GOD to help you plan ahead.
What is Your Vision From GOD?
Vision is important! Proverbs 29:18 tells us “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” However, Luke 14:28-31 reminds us that every vision requires careful planning, preparation, and consultation with GOD or prayer.
What is your vision? Is your vision to have a strong, healthy body? Is your vision to build a strong financial “house?” Is your vision to have a strong spiritual foundation? Is your goal to present your mind, body, and will to GOD as a spiritual and physical sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to GOD? See, Romans 12:1.
If so, plan ahead! Fight for your health! Treat your health like a detailed battle plan –developing strategic ways to fight the “enemy,” (e.g. unhealthy overeating, lack of exercise, overindulgence, obsessive or manic shopping, depression, anxiety). So, plan ahead.
Create a spending plan for the remainder of the year and pray fervently about the ways that you can stick to it!
Pray and seek GOD’s counsel. Plan and be prepared to “go to war,” fighting for the vision GOD has given you.
Consult THE MASTER BUILDER and MAKER, GOD! Ask HIM to be the “CHIEF CORNERSTONE” of your “strong tower.”
And, let’s not forget to pray for our nation and all the world’s leaders. The stakes are high for us all!
Pray, plan and BE BLESSED!
