Faith, Free Will, and a Longer Life

You do not have to do much research to learn that consuming no alcohol or receiving professional assistance to improve your mental health are good and healthy things to be doing. Nobody is saying these are not items to consider and give attention.

What the Data Actually Shows

However, it is also true that the data provides information about what can be expected to occur as a result. For example, a person who consumes a modest amount of alcohol (up to five drinks a week) lives an average of one year less than someone who consumes no alcohol. The limits to the benefits of receiving assistance for mental health are more complicated, with no definite average. Early diagnosis and medical attention do seem to be associated with a longer life, but do not separately address self-sought assistance from imposed assistance.

Not Minimizing Health, But Expanding the Conversation

The purpose of this column is not to minimize the value of living a healthier life—both physically and mentally. However, appreciating the limitations associated with these items might help open our hearts and minds to other possibilities to live a longer, healthier, and happier life.

A Habit Linked to Seven More Years

What is your reaction to learning the practice of one particular habit is associated with living seven more years than those who do not? The catch to it being it comes with humbling ourselves and acknowledging first that we are not in control, but God is. It is a fact that those who attend worship services at least twice a month in an organized faith community live seven years longer than those who don’t.

Why Worship Matters

My contention would be that it is not the attendance at worship, although that is better than nothing in my mind, that results in the extended life expectancy. It is the reason to attend in the first place. Again, that starts with recognizing God is God, and we are not. In my faith, it also includes embracing Jesus as the Savior of the world. We admit to our shortcomings, learn more about how Scripture is both true and applicable to today, and give thanks to God for His loving hand guiding our lives.

No Pulpit, Just Perspective

I do not mean to preach, and I am far from qualified to do so. One of my brothers is a Methodist minister (I am a Presbyterian), and he is the expert on theology and doctrine. My shortcomings in the area of obedience are too numerous to count.

Grace, Confession, and Reality

As to sounding anything remotely close to self-righteous, let me assure you my daily life is proof positive they got it right in 1 John. Scripture says: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” This is said immediately prior to the Prayer of Confession. There are plenty of weeks when it feels as though it were written just for me. Fortunately, in the same book, we are also told: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Faith Is a Choice

This same religion advances the thought we access God’s grace through faith. The decision to embrace faith is a choice made of our own free will. In other words, the door is open, but the price of admission is a sincere faith.

An Invitation, Not an Ultimatum

All of us decide for ourselves how to exercise our free will, so each person must decide for themselves. At the outset, I stated what was not my purpose. I suppose it is not too early to state what my purpose is. Simply to ask non-believers to look at the facts (a life expectancy seven years longer than average) and to give pause to consider that if they kept an open mind to the idea, there is a chance they might want to walk through that door, exercising their own free will to choose faith.

A Final Thought

Remember this: As my soon-to-be 99-year-old mother is fond of saying, “A little bit of Jesus never hurt anyone.” Decide for yourself.