"both-and"
The only times I’ve ever been able to lose weight is when my outside and my inside were in agreement. Doing the things I needed to do, eating the things I needed to eat. With my mind focused on doing it.
It’s like that with every part of our lives.
If we’re just doing the outside stuff, eventually we’ll start cutting corners. Or doing it in ways that actually hurt us. Or quit entirely.
The outside stuff needs the inside stuff to support it.
If we’re just doing the inside stuff, only thinking about it. We’ll never see any results. We’ll just get more and more frustrated. Because nothing’s happening.
The inside stuff needs the outside stuff to support it.
We can’t thrive by doing just the inside stuff. Or by doing just the outside stuff. We’re not built for “either-or.” The only way it works for us is as a “both-and.”
It’s no different with our spiritual lives.
That’s the point that Jesus is making in today’s Gospel.
He’s talking with people who are doing the outside stuff, doing good things. But without the inside stuff, without being close to God. Without the relationship with God that human beings need to be whole, to be healthy.
Jesus makes it clear that both are essential, telling them “these you should have done, without overlooking the others.”
Today, step away from the false choice of “either-or” living.
Take care of your outside. And your inside.
Do the good. And stay close to God.
Make time for God’s “both-and.”
Read More