What do we know?

"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so" - Mark Twain.

This year, I've been doing some reading on nutrition and health, which has been one of the factors that led to me becoming vegan. Previously, I thought meat, eggs and dairy was healthy in moderation. And probably that's what many people still think. That it's harmless; a good source of protein, iron and other stuff that makes you strong.

One of the books I'm reading is the China Study, the most impressive and comprehensive scientific study on human nutrition ever done, and the startling results of the experiments. One of the findings includes animal product consumption being linked to the likelyhood of getting liver (and other) cancer...much like smoking is linked to lung cancer. In the book, there are many other studies showing the harm done to the human body by consuming animal protein, but you'll just have to read the book to understand (by the way, I highly recommend the book - The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and M. Thomas Campbell, M.D). It's not only scientific, it's presented in a way that is easy to understand, and an engaging read. If I had known this before, I might have changed diet sooner. Now, I'm so aware of how unhealthy it is, I don't even want to give chocolate to people anymore because I'll feel a little guilty of contributing to cancer! (and baby calves being deprived of their mother's milk and fed formula instead).

I think that we should always be willing to learn, and willing to change. We cannot know it all, all at once. Learning is lifelong, and the motivation to change is often knowledge multiplied by need. When people feel that they don't need to change, knowing what they should be doing isn't going to produce any change in them. Likewise, we cannot change if we don't have the knowledge to do so.

When we read God's Word, we gain knowledge and wisdom that we can apply to our lives. It's truly life-changing. I'm currently reading through both Leviticus and Proverbs in the Bible. Proverbs is full of observations and tips for living in a way that honours God, and produces blessing. Go against God's laws, and in some way you'll suffer. But obey and fear God, and you will have His favour on you.