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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Now that you are away from home, for some in a way never before experienced and for others a continuation and broadening of freedoms gained only recently; let me encourage you to listen, learn but discern. The Bible encourages us to seek the counsel of many to assure success. "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." Proverbs 15:22 Even on a national level, strength in numbers is suggested. "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure." Proverbs 11:14 Is this an admonition to listen to anything and everyone who offers a new or different idea? Hardly. So, who should we readily listen to? Who’s advice should we really take to heart and pattern our lives after?
The Apostle Paul, in writing to Timothy told him to, "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly." 1 Timothy 4:7; "Avoid(ing) godless chatter,…" 2 Timothy 2:16 King David, a gifted and godly man credited with writing much of the book of Psalms, started his work with these words, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law (or counsel) of the Lord,…" The result being, "Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:1-3Yet you have probably felt over-instructed at times. Family, friends, preachers, and teachers all telling you what you ought to do, when you ought to do it and how to go about doing it. It really can be overwhelming and even dangerous to listen to the wrong advice. The Prophet Isaiah explains that Israel’s constant seeking of advice in the wrong places had the opposite effect from what they sought. "All the counsel you have received has only worn you out!" Isaiah 47:13 They had heard and tried so much; in the process becoming confused, tired and less secure than before.
Solomon, a profoundly wise man, wrote much of Proverbs, yet acknowledged his source of true wisdom, "For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6 He goes on to assure us that this wisdom will be practical and useful, helping us to, "…understand what is right and just and fair …" Proverbs 2:9 Not just a head knowledge of facts and figures but a heart knowledge of ways to use what we know in a compassionate, useful manner; which will also give us, "Discretion (that) will protect you, and understanding (that) will guard you." Proverbs 2:11 The emphasis here is on a partnership between you and God. He will bless - when we put ourselves in a position to be blessed. That happens when we know his will and follow his instructions, when it becomes a priority in our lives to know and understand - then he guarantees that we will.
Part of the excitement of going to college is the expectation of greater freedom in the decisions you make concerning your life. And while you’ve earned this chance (I hope) to make your own choices concerning any number of issues, the repercussions of many of the decisions you make over the next months and years may very well follow you throughout the rest of your life. Thomas Jefferson wrote, "A people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the powers knowledge gives." That’s the real reason you’re furthering your education, but some would have you believe that the full "college experience" won’t be realized unless you engage in a generous dose of self-indulgence as well. And while I’m sure you’ve all dealt with the temptation to take advantage of the opportunities presented to you in high school to smoke, drink, experiment with drugs or be sexually active; those opportunities – compiled with the lack of direct parental supervision – will only increase, as well the pressure to conform, in college.
My intent here is not so much to preach at you as it is to offer cold hard facts concerning the pitfalls of some of these "tempting opportunities"; leaving it up to you to decide what to make of them and how to respond. This in an attempt to help you develop the ability to Listen, Learn and Discern.
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. as well as the leading cause of death associated with smoking. The primary types of cardiovascular disease caused by smoking are high blood pressure, stroke, congestive heart failure and hardening of the arteries; having been found to contribute to abdominal aortic aneurysm as well. Toxins in the blood created in cigarette smoke contribute to the development of inflammation of arterial walls, leading to their hardening, narrowing and clotting; a leading cause of dementia.
Caner linked to smoking is often thought of as exclusively affecting the lungs, which is indeed the leading cause of cancer deaths. And while most cases of lung cancer deaths – close to 90% in men and 80% in women are caused by cigarette smoking, there are several other forms of cancer associated with smoking as well; such as oral, pharynx, larynx, esophageal, bladder, stomach, cervical, kidney, pancreatic and acute myeloid leukemia. Again, the culprits being the toxins created by the materials used in cigarette manufacturing, of which there are close to 600 – which when burned converts into 4000 chemicals – over 40 of them classified as known carcinogens. (For instance, Benzene is a known carcinogen whose exposure is almost exclusively through smoking, most recently found to be linked to acute myeloid leukemia.) Cancer is the second leading cause of death in America and one of the first diseases scientifically linked to smoking, the risk generally increasing with the number of cigarettes smoked in a day and the number of years they are smoked. Research indicating very little benefit to switching to low-tar or low-nicotine brands and certainly none in going "smokeless", which has been linked to mouth, tongue, throat and stomach cancers.
Finally, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella classification covering a number of issues and disease related to smoking or aggravated by it; including chronic bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, emphysema etc. (Thus the "smokers cough") The lung function of smokers declining faster as the airways and alveoli of the lungs are damaged and eventually destroyed, diminishing lung capacity – which means you gradually suffocate. (Stats from the American Heart & Lung Associations)
In addition to the allure of smoking, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University reports more than 5 million high schoolers binge drink at least once a month, a figure sure to rise as the opportunities for unsupervised parties increase in college. In fact, they estimate that 83% of adults who routinely drink had their first taste of alcohol before age 21 and that individuals who began drinking in their middle teens are four times more likely to become alcohol dependent; the earlier one starts drinking, the greater the risk of abuse for a lifetime. The repercussions of this vice – outside of drunkenness – are often subtle and realized only after the passage of time; but they are many. Some of the more obvious being diminished brain activity and compromised physical capabilities, which can become permanent. The incidence of nervous tremors, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver and kidney failure is greatly increased; as is cancer of the mouth, stomach, bladder and digestive tract. Social issues, from boorish behavior to unplanned and unwanted pregnancies – with the accompanying spread of STD’s – is much more prevalent among those whose inhibitions are suspended by alcohol; who with little thought and less care exercise their "right" to do as they want to or with whoever they please. Alcohol further destroys careers, individuals and entire families as well as innocent bystanders, the grief and real expense reaching into the millions as a result of hospitalizations, incarcerations, counseling, funerals, lost jobs, etc. The Nation Highway Traffic Safety Administration reporting that vehicular crashes are the number one cause of death among high school and college age young people; nearly half of which were alcohol-related.
That’s a lot of info, some of which I’m sure you’ve already heard. But in a time of reflection, I’d encourage you to think of the real price to be paid for some of these activities before you engage in them. If you then choose to participate anyway, be willing and prepared to take responsibility for the consequences; youthful indiscretion and uninterested disregard no longer an adequate excuse for poor behavior and tragedy.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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