Never Give Up the Fight

     Following my fight with bulbar polio in 1955, I had a long road ahead of me in order to recuperate.  My form of the polio virus affected the right side of my face, my ability to swallow, and my upper body.  The right leg was weaker and would occasionally give out.  I know it was God who spared my life and answered my prayer for healing that I lifted up from my hospital bed.
     After my stay in the hospital, I remember having to lay perfectly flat.  There were hot packs, hot baths, therapy sessions, and my mother had to grind up all my food as I could not swallow well.  It became very tiring to have to lay flat for what seemed like an interminable time especially when you are seven years old.

Glenn and I at Cedar Key, Fl with one of our
favorite little "photo bombers" Aiden.

     Finally, the day came when I was allowed to try to walk again.  My grandfather put coins across the floor to encourage me to take some steps and pick up the coins.  I was weak, but I made it across the living room.  Day by day, I worked to regain my strength and ability to move.  Some muscles in my throat could not be rehabilitated so I had to learn to swallow using a tucking technique which I have used all my life.  For me, and other polio survivors, life would never be quite the same, but we never gave up in trying to regain our health and mobility.  Even today, we are once again engaged with a new
challenge with Post Polio Syndrome.  This is a new weakness in the muscles damaged by the polio virus.  The point is, not just for those of us who had polio but for all, life is a continuous movement from one challenge to another whether physically, mentally or spiritually.  God has a purpose and a plan for us and we must never give up in the race of life but move on to the goal of His high calling for us.
     In three different places in New Testament letters, the writers encourage us to never give up in the race.  Paul writes in I Corinthians 9:24-27:  "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."  This is a powerful reminder from the Apostle that we need self-control which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in order to remain focused on the goal.  We are running the race of life in order to glorify God and reflect His image as a bright light in a dark world.  We cannot accomplish this unless we put forth a consistent, steady walk with Christ.  I know I might sound like a broken record since I write about this continually, but only through Bible study, prayer and fellowship can we grow those faith muscles lest, as Paul says, we become "disqualified".  If we want to be used of God, we must maintain an ever deepening relationship with Him.
     A second scripture is found in 2 Timothy 4:7-8:  "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing."  Here we have a chance to see Paul at a later stage in his ministry.  He has been running the race and contending faithfully for the Lord.  Now, he is aware that soon he will go to be with His Lord.  This is such an encouragement to us when we feel tired and weak.  Consider all that Paul went through during his ministry:  beatings, a venomous snake bite, shipwreck, a thorn in the flesh which would never leave him, and imprisonment.  Yet, he kept the faith and grew in his love for Christ.  Life was anything but easy for this man.  If he could do this, we can too.
     Our final scripture is found in Hebrews 12:1-4, 7,12-13:  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.....(vs. 7)  It is for discipline that you have to endure.  God is treating you as sons.  For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?....(vs. 12-13) Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed."  These are words that offer us the reason to keep on reaching towards that goal.  Like a runner, we may be tired and ready to quit.  We are thirsty and our muscles ache beyond belief, but we have another mile to go.  Can we do it?  Not in our own strength but certainly, in His.  I love the saying that I have seen around that says:  "God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called."  When He sets before us the race in this life with all its pitfalls, valleys and heartaches, He never once leaves our side.  Our cheering section are all the saints that have gone before us as Hebrews tells us. Likewise, He is the living water so we never have to thirst as we run the course.  However, we must discipline ourselves to go where we can be refreshed, and I would suggest that we will find this in prayer with our Father, the reading daily of His Word and in regular fellowship with other believers who will hold us accountable.  If Jesus could die for us, if Paul could suffer all he did but still persevere, then, certainly, we can, with God's help, run the race set before us!
     As a little seven year old girl, I simply asked God, from my hospital bed, to make me well and let me go home.  I believed He could do that for me.  He did.  He spared my life, helped me make the long road to recovery and has kept me all along life's pathway.  No matter what your burden or challenge, He can do that for you.  Our Lord has never promised us that life would be easy, but He has told us that our lives would be abundant in Christ.  He has also promised to be with us every step of the way.  Therefore, let us trust in Him today and roll our cares on Him.  He is able to strengthen us when we do not think we can go on.  With Him, all things are possible.  Selah!

Final Instructions

   

 When our children were young, we would leave a detailed list, for our babysitter, of things like bedtime hour, snacks they could have and if they needed any medicine.  Now our children who are grown and married leave a list for Grammy and Papa to follow while caring for our grandchildren.  I am thankful for such a memo as I am not accustomed to the routines they follow, and to be honest, I might forget to do something which is important for their well being.  In much the same way, we are given reminders at the end of many of the letters found in the New Testament concerning our conduct.  These loving words, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, are meant to direct our conduct, so that we might enjoy the abundant life found in living for Jesus Christ.
     One such instruction stands out to me in light of our economic plight in today's market place.  Many of us are tempted to fret and stew over money.  After all, the cost of living is going up while many paychecks are not.  In addition, we are often confronted with unexpected expenses that come at us all at once.  The writer of Hebrews is aware of our daily challenges and closes his letter with an encouragement we all need to remember:  "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'  So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'" (Heb. 13:3-6)
     Having financial security seems to be the driving goal for most people today.  We all want to feel we  have enough funds to cover our family in cases of emergency.  However, the writer, here, points out that if this becomes the driving force for our life we could well miss the joy that comes from trusting God.  Our security should not be placed in finances which can be here today and gone tomorrow just like some jobs.  Rather our security is found in God.  He wants us to be content with what we have.  Those driven by wanting more and more often lead an empty life because when they get what they want they are never satisfied.
     Remember that this concluding chapter of Hebrews follows the description of all who died in faith believing (chapter 11).  In that chapter, the writer reminds his readers of all those who believed God and trusted in His providence for their daily needs.  One such case is that of Abraham.  God had called Abraham to offer up his son as a sacrifice to test his faith.  While Abraham had a lot of wealth, giving up his son Isaac, for whom he had waited the majority of his life, would be the most difficult thing he had been asked to do.  However, he obeyed God and the writer of Hebrews writes:  "He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, for which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back" (Heb. 11:19).  We know that God provided that lamb for the sacrifice and became Jehovah Jireh (the Lord will provide) for Abraham and all who followed in faith.
     In addition, the writer of Hebrews follows his injunction to avoid the love of money with the words of encouragement which God spoke to Joshua (Joshua 1:5) "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  With God by our side as we face the challenges that come with living in a fallen world where things break and need to be fixed, children get sick and need costly medicine and where good paying jobs are hard to find, we need not fear.  He is our helper as the author states.
     Money can buy us many things but it cannot provide us with happiness or security.  Only God can do that for us as we trust in Him.  I will close with this illustration that I heard about today.  A friend and her family just returned from a two week vacation which they enjoyed.  They found rest and refreshment just in seeing the sights and attending a Christian conference.  However, while they were gone, her children had become sick.  It lasted only a day or two so they were able to continue with their trip.  Then, on the way home, they had a blow-out which was very frightening.  Upon returning to their home, they found the air conditioner had completely gone out on their relatively new home.  Also, both their refrigerator and freezer had quit working and all the contents had spoiled making the home smell horrible.  So now, they were faced with replacing their air conditioning unit, a new freezer and refrigerator and to top it off, my friend had gotten a sinus infection which caused her to have vertigo.  However, she was still smiling because she trusted in the Lord.  She would not allow these circumstances to ruin their wonderful memories of a vacation nor would this interfere with her love of the Lord.  He would provide for their needs.
      Just as I appreciate the list given to me when we care for our grandchildren telling me what needs to be done so I do not forget, I also appreciate these final instructions given to believers at the end of this letter to the Hebrews.  This writer is telling us what we must remember as he closes out this inspired book.  God is all sufficient and able to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory.  Therefore, let us be content with what we have trusting in our Lord who provides.  Selah!


Photo courtesy of Wiki Commons

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

The peace of Highlands Hammock

     Have you ever been a referee?  I would suspect that if you are a parent or a grandparent you have been called in to settle a dispute, decide who can sit in the front seat next to you (presuming they are old enough to be out of a child safety seat), who can have the last ice cream bar, and my all time favorite, "He's looking at me Mom!"  I remember those days well while we were raising our four and now we have the blessing of assisting as "back-up" referees for our grandchildren.  Part of parenting is learning to prevent things from escalating into a major fight.  However, it isn't just the family that at times need a "peace keeper".  There can also be arguments among those in the faith as well, and Jesus called us to be peacemakers.
     In I Samuel 25:2-35, there is a wonderful story about a woman who prevented the future king from committing murder.  She brought peace when things were about to explode. Please take a moment to read this scripture.
     Within this passage, we see David and his men seeking food from a nearby landowner named Nabal.  David has helped to protect this man's flock from bandits and felt that Nabal might want to provide some food for his men in return.  However, Nabal was not a wise man and refused to help them thus insulting David and his men.
     David's anger began to burn, and he decided to take his own revenge for this insult.  Isn't this like a lot of us?  When someone wrongs us, don't we feel the urge rise within us to get even?  At this point, David calls his men together to go after Nabal and destroy both his property and his life.
     When a servant tells Abigail how her husband has treated David and his men, she prepares food enough to take care of them.  Her words were kind, humble and caring.  She reminds David that the Lord is using him to fight His battles.  She also points out that he must keep a clear conscience in order to serve the Lord.  This is a bold woman who has intervened in a difficult situation in order to make peace.  Not only does she go before someone she has never met before, but she speaks truth in a gentle manner putting her own life at risk.  Because David had a heart for God, he listens to her wise counsel and considers the absurdity of what he is about to do.  In the end, destruction is avoided.
     What makes Abigail such a special person?  She is a peacemaker who helps David see the bigger picture.  Her intervention prevents violence.  Her wisdom allows David to hear the Lord and see God's will in the situation.  Later, we know that Abigail becomes a wife to David.
     This entire incident points to the importance for all of us,  as much as possible, " to
be at peace with all men" (I Thess. 5:13).  Likewise we are all called to the ministry of reconciliation in Christ.  When we are able, we are to bring peace between brothers and sisters in Christ.  Jesus said to us "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God."  Let us strive to be Abigail's in our home, our work, our churches and our communities.  The world is full of those who want to fight and who call for revenge, but we have been called to a higher position in Christ - that of making peace in a strife torn world.  Selah!

The picture is courtesy of Cathy Hardesty in her collection from Highlands Hammock State Park.