A fly in the ointment

“A fly in the ointment” points to an irritating flaw in a good system. Recalls by manufacturers try to rectify such a weakness in their product.

All organizations have a few members who like to throw a spanner in the works. Although irritating, it may have a positive effect: a devil’s advocate may help to prevent groupthink – opposition keeps government on its toes.

There are many flies in the ointment of civilization; only a few can be discussed in this space.

Disease and crime of any kind spoil our happiness. Good lives and good societies are marred by these flies in the ointment, often causing untimely death.

Electronic devices are widely and wisely used for several decades, but they are plagued by hackers, flies in the ointment that spoils all the constructive work done on computers.

Disease, crime, and hacking are like weeds in fields and gardens: no matter how hard we try to eradicate them, they keep coming back. However, if we would stop fighting them, they would proliferate, choking all good things.

People want to live long without growing old. Many go out of their way to stay in shape. However, celebrities of 20 + years ago show the marks of aging now when we see them on television at funerals.

All look forward to retirement, having more freedom to do what they want to do. But there is the onset of old age with its increasing infirmities and limitations. The enthusiasm and strength to do what you looked forward to, start waning. And even worse – the person with whom you wanted to share your dream may not be around anymore. As old age progresses, it brings along more flies in the ointment. Eventually, one loses all freedom, and is limited to a small room and bed.

We can add more “flies” like inconsideration, rudeness, abuse, unsafe drivers, potholes, white-outs, droughts, floods, fires, storms, and so on. But what about the “ointment” – is it useless because of one fly?

There are ways to remove flies or to work around them. Despite all the nasty things, we can still go on with our lives. Full hospitals and prisons do not deter us from work, home, sport, church, school, driving, vacationing, visiting, and barbequing.

Instead of focusing on the negative, making ourselves depressed and pessimistic, we can relish the many positive things still available: friendly people and fulfilling of basic needs, such as income, food, clothes, shelter, faith, and peace.

Paul wrote to the Philippians that he had learned to be content in all circumstances, having plenty or little. His secret was faith in his Lord: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

Jacob Van Zyl of Lethbridge is a retired counsellor and the author of several faith-based books.