That was me… not as extreme.. lol. But I did the work. I don’t say this to boast, but to share that I was blindly trusting the system all my life. I was a good obedient patient, always followed doctor’s orders, never questioned. Everything shifted after COVID. That trickled into other areas too, looking not just at healthcare, but at our food, politics, education, and the news we consume. So now, I question, research, do the work, and most of all rely on the wisdom of the One I can always trust, Jesus, my Savior. Thanks for a great article!
Love this! SO much. I'm an Oscar. And as an Oscar it has been a really hard, lonely road. Then I met the LORD and I wasn't alone anymore, swimming upstream for a futile purpose. I believe Oscar's are tasked for that road; each to their own unique call. And your wisdom and gifts are blessing us mightily in our "hard directions". Ty so much. 🙏🏻🙌🏻
Sergio, this certainly gave me a lot to think about. I especially appreciated your emphasis that genuine transformation requires more than simply acknowledging there's a problem. Growth always asks something of us. As a Christian, though, I also find myself thinking about the beautiful relationship between God's grace and our response. Grace isn't permission to remain unchanged, it's the power that enables us to change. We don't earn God's love through our obedience, but because we've received His love, we desire to live differently. I think that's where repentance becomes such a beautiful invitation, not just believing the truth, but allowing it to reshape the way we live day by day. Thank you for writing something that challenged me to reflect more deeply.
Jude says it like this. “I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. So I want to remind you ,though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful.” Jude 4-5. Basically he is saying many use grace as a license to sin. Jude’s letter was to encourage Christians to stand firm In their faith and fight for the truth.
I see what you’re saying and I agree that being an Oscar is healthier in every aspect. However, there are certain situations where you need the system while you get back on your feet and turn around.
I’m using myself as an example: I need the psychiatry and psychology ‘system’ to lean on and help me become stable. Once I’m stable I’ll be able to do the research, question, leave the house, put the effort in.
Mind you, coming out of the mental health fog is putting in effort
Agreed. What you’re describing is an “elder”, not a system. A good one teaches you to be better and helps you unpack the obstacles. A real role, and a needed one. You just rarely find that person in a physician’s waiting room. 🙏
Think a wise person who knows how to truly help you based on tried experience. 😉
"Elder" in English drifts toward either (a) a mere old person or (b) a modern denominational board-member. The Hebraic zaqen is neither — it is the bearded gate-sitter whose accumulated seasons have made him a Torah-instrument for continuing the people, seated in a collegial council, marked outwardly by the very growth (zaqan) that inwardly qualifies him.
That was me… not as extreme.. lol. But I did the work. I don’t say this to boast, but to share that I was blindly trusting the system all my life. I was a good obedient patient, always followed doctor’s orders, never questioned. Everything shifted after COVID. That trickled into other areas too, looking not just at healthcare, but at our food, politics, education, and the news we consume. So now, I question, research, do the work, and most of all rely on the wisdom of the One I can always trust, Jesus, my Savior. Thanks for a great article!
Love this! SO much. I'm an Oscar. And as an Oscar it has been a really hard, lonely road. Then I met the LORD and I wasn't alone anymore, swimming upstream for a futile purpose. I believe Oscar's are tasked for that road; each to their own unique call. And your wisdom and gifts are blessing us mightily in our "hard directions". Ty so much. 🙏🏻🙌🏻
Smiling 🙂
Saved, healed,delivered, set free, made whole. = sozo… Greek word meaning all five. Thank you Lord Jesus!
Sergio, this certainly gave me a lot to think about. I especially appreciated your emphasis that genuine transformation requires more than simply acknowledging there's a problem. Growth always asks something of us. As a Christian, though, I also find myself thinking about the beautiful relationship between God's grace and our response. Grace isn't permission to remain unchanged, it's the power that enables us to change. We don't earn God's love through our obedience, but because we've received His love, we desire to live differently. I think that's where repentance becomes such a beautiful invitation, not just believing the truth, but allowing it to reshape the way we live day by day. Thank you for writing something that challenged me to reflect more deeply.
Jude says it like this. “I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. So I want to remind you ,though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful.” Jude 4-5. Basically he is saying many use grace as a license to sin. Jude’s letter was to encourage Christians to stand firm In their faith and fight for the truth.
Pointedly beautiful and true whether the story is about health or faith or both. Thank you!
Good word!! Thanks!
I see what you’re saying and I agree that being an Oscar is healthier in every aspect. However, there are certain situations where you need the system while you get back on your feet and turn around.
I’m using myself as an example: I need the psychiatry and psychology ‘system’ to lean on and help me become stable. Once I’m stable I’ll be able to do the research, question, leave the house, put the effort in.
Mind you, coming out of the mental health fog is putting in effort
Agreed. What you’re describing is an “elder”, not a system. A good one teaches you to be better and helps you unpack the obstacles. A real role, and a needed one. You just rarely find that person in a physician’s waiting room. 🙏
Wow, I didn’t know about an elder. Do you mind expanding your definition?
Think a wise person who knows how to truly help you based on tried experience. 😉
"Elder" in English drifts toward either (a) a mere old person or (b) a modern denominational board-member. The Hebraic zaqen is neither — it is the bearded gate-sitter whose accumulated seasons have made him a Torah-instrument for continuing the people, seated in a collegial council, marked outwardly by the very growth (zaqan) that inwardly qualifies him.