Big Suits

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:17).

I wore a suit for the first time in a couple of years this past weekend. I officiated a wedding and needed to wear a suit.

Here’s what I discovered when I went to go try on my suits. Now, mind you, all my suits were custom tailored. They fit me like a glove when I had them tailored. But as I tried them on Saturday to get ready for the wedding, I realized every single one of them were too big. I’ve lost about thirty pounds since I had those suits made.

Here’s the thing: I knew for decades I needed to lose weight because of my health issues. The doctors would always tell me, “You need to lose weight.” I’ve always known that. But, knowing those things did not lead to living those things. And, I never lost weight.

So, what changed?

This is embarrassing.

A few years back, one of my doctors threatened to quit me. She told me to bring Helen to the next appointment, and at that appointment, she lit into me and told me in front of Helen, “If you’re not going to listen to what I tell you to do, go find another doctor.”

Gee!

That got my attention. So, I started walking more regularly, and I changed how I eat.

It wasn’t that I didn’t know that I needed to exercise more and change my diet. I knew that. I just didn’t do it. And I wasn’t changing.

Knowing the truths of God is fine, but we are blessed when we do what God’s word says.

Now, I need to get some new suits!