Clean the inside first
There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root, and it may be that he who bestows the largest amount of time and money on the needy is doing the most by his mode of life to produce that misery which he strives in vain to relieve. Thoreau
I go to the gym four times a week. As you might suspect, there are a plethora of interesting things and people to observe! I see a lot of people desperately trying to perfect their physical appearance. One morning, as I watched two men compare biceps, a thought came to mind. Do the people who demonstrate an extraordinary amount of self-discipline physically commit to doing the same work on the inside? Given the state of our current culture, which has become completely degenerate, one would assume not. Are we so fooled by outward appearances? Believing that because someone’s life looks good on the outside this equates to a true state of happiness inside? I would vehemently argue, no. I have a saying, “If you’re ugly on the inside, you’re ugly on the outside.” No amount of “healthy living" can change this simple truth.
A few months ago I had breakfast with a friend who was asked a simple question in a group setting. If money were no object, what would you do; what is your dream? As she listened to others expressing various business ideas and global ministries, humbly she responded, “I just want to break generational curses off my family.” She felt that her response was completely insufficient. I quickly responded and told her that this is much more significant than any business or ministry. You see, it is very easy to point out millions of external factors and try to fix the outside, which is what most people do. If I just look better and have more money, then my life will be more fulfilled. But it takes genuine courage and grit to put the work in daily and sometimes minute by minute, to transform who you are on the inside.
Keep in mind, as previously stated, I work out every week and eat as cleanly as possible. This is not a rebuke of healthy living, quite the contrary. I am simply referring to what Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for in Matthew 23:25-26. “Clean the inside of the cup and plate first and the rest of it will be clean.” Too many people seem to have lives that many of us would kill for. However, upon closer examination, you realize that even some of the best looking and richest people are not happier. Sadly, they suffer in silence. Afterall, according to our culture they have done their job. To the outside world they are the envy of all their friends and family. What’s to fix?
What I am advocating for is a higher level of living, call it spiritual health if you like. Our world is in desperate need of those who do this deep level of work, thereby, creating better people, healthier families, and ultimately, a better world. Breaking generational curses is not easy and can be tremendously painful. Do it anyway. The real reward is true joy, true freedom, and a life more beautiful than you could imagine, inside and out!