As Much Fun As A Root Canal

Here’s a bit of practical wisdom… take care of your teeth. Wednesdays are typically set aside for study time as I prepare for Wednesday nights and Sundays. Today, however, was set aside for a visit with the dentist. Almost a year ago, my #19 molar broke in half. The smart thing to do would have been to go to the Dentist immediately. I waited two weeks. He told me upon my visit that a root canal would be the best option, so what did I do? I waited almost a year.

Three weeks ago, I went for a cleaning and scheduled the root canal for today. I was given a prescription for an antibiotic and was told to take them until they were gone. What did I do? I took about two days’ worth and left the rest on the shelf. Therefore… (here’s something you should know) the anesthesia did not take its full effect because of residual infection. In other words, I felt it just a bit.

I’ll tell you another mistake I made – I researched root canals before going to have one done. Therefore, I knew exactly what the Dentist was doing at each step. I knew he was drilling a hole, grinding out the pulp (nerves and tissue), scraping away infected material, then packing it with medicated metal. With every yank of the tools, I replayed in my mind all that my research had warned me about. This is why I’ve simply decided to trust the Dentist next time instead of studying in advance.

Every experience was given for our edification, of course. So what do I make of this root canal experience? How about, don’t procrastinate! That’s what our lesson is on tonight. Haggai preached to a bunch of people who put off building God’s Temple so they could spend lots of time and money on their own houses.

Since it’s a Bible story, our initial reaction is, “Ah, the nerve of such people!” But I can honestly admit that I sometimes build my own “house” while God’s house waits. Our spiritual motto is often, by default, “Why do for God today what you can put off until tomorrow?” But God’s house, that special place of communion in the heart of every believer, is certainly worth hurrying up for… and it’s also worth staying a while!