In an episode of The Twilight Zone called “The Trade-Ins” from 1962, an elderly couple visit a medical facility offering a new service: trading in aged bodies for younger and healthier models.
Ultimately, the couple only had enough money for one trade-in, so they decided that the husband, who is dealing with painful declining health, should be the recipient.
After the procedure, the wife’s new husband appears, but looks nothing like the man she has spent her life with. Breaking down in tears, she realizes they can no longer relate to each other. The husband quickly exercises the return clause in their contract. He would rather endure physical pain than lose the love of his life and the security of the life they have made together.
Unfortunately, many of us live in the sci-fi fantasy that our bodies will last forever. When we don’t listen to what our bodies need as we age, we focus on the wrong things: others’ expectations, social pressures, self-imposed performance standards, comparison issues, and FOMO.
We continually watch ads for fast food and adult beverages alongside professional athletes sweating in the colors of sports drinks as they jump around in the brand of shoes they are paid to promote. We may even consider injections that promise a better body, if we don’t mind dealing with life-threatening side effects like pancreatic tumors. Still, the fine print says we have to eat right and exercise to get any results.
The voice of experience here: don’t wait until your body rebels to take care of yourself. Playing catch-up with your health is painful and expensive. Health emergencies can ruin your life, deplete your bank account, or rob you of your future. But once you eat healthy, you will realize the benefits far outweigh (pun intended) anything you fear you might be missing.
End of lecture! 🥰
“There is another reason for doing what is right. You know what time it is. It is time for you to wake up from your sleep… Let every part of you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not allow your weak thoughts to lead you into sinful actions.” Romans 13:11,14 NLV
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