As my feet touched down that morning a familiar pang coursed through the bottoms of feet. My autoimmune was back. My head instantly fell in acknowledgement of the state of my body.
“Not today, Lord,” I pleaded. I recently agreed to disciple a young lady, and today was the day for our weekly meeting. As I stood, to take inventory, the pain shot through my body, and the dreaded wave of fatigue came crashing down. My mind was hard pressed to stay focused on walking let alone mentoring.
One foot in front of the other, each step just as painful as the last, in an act of obedience, I pushed through my morning lamenting my ailments all the way.
“But Lord! How can I serve you when I can’t think clearly and my body pains are distracting me?” I cried as I dragged my bag of books to the car.
I exhaled deeply as I buckled my seatbelt, then starred at the steering wheel for a few minutes realizing my hands were too sore to grip the wheel. I would have to drive with my fists since my fingers wouldn’t work.
Finally determined to “just get through it”, I pulled out the driveway. If I cannot be well, I can still praise with my lips. And praise I did!
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his word...
A picture of the cross flashed in my mind. My Saviour hanging there, sweaty and blood drenched. Did pain stop him from fulfilling the plan at hand? Tears streamed from my face, for in an instant I knew the answer. Like a quiet whisper to my soul, I knew that pain was a necessary step to complete The Plan that defeated death. Unwilling to step down from the cross, my Jesus endured. And, if Christ could endure then certainly I could make it through one uncomfortable hour to carry out my commitment to bring Him glory.
“Alright Lord, YOUR will be done,” I confessed. I turned up the praise music and sang with a newfound resolution that though I could not understand what purpose my pain had, God would sustain me.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face...
I turned the corner and, without thinking, my hands tightened on the wheel. No pain!
Thank you Lord!
I arrived at the church and stepped out of my car. No pain in my feet!
I reached for my bag of books and swung them over my shoulder without even a smidgen of pain.
Praise you Father!
As I walked towards my meeting my mind cleared and an abundance of energy rose.
I wept as I poured out thanksgiving.
My entire meeting I was sustained by the strength if God!
The sky turned to pink as the sun set that day and the dull ache of arthritis was once again taking over my body.
I smiled.
This humble servant had been sustained by God’s never-ending strength to complete the tasks for the day.
I had witnessed a miracle, one I would not have seen unless I first walked in pain.
I went to bed without fear of the way my body would rise the next morning, for now I knew the antidote to sorrow and suffering...
Praise.
Praise to the King of Kings whose power is made perfect in our weakness. Praise, not for the selfish hope of healing, but praise because HE once suffered for me. Praise because HIS grace is sufficient to me. Praise because in all that is painful and sorrowful, HE is still good and beautiful. Praise because HE calls me his own.
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. (Rom. 11:36)
All my love,
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