During the past two weeks my concentration and mobility have been limited by a painful lower back. Getting out of a chair after sitting down is my most difficult movement followed closely by pulling on socks, tying shoes or just leaning over the sink to shave.
Anne Marie asks me, "When are you going to call the doctor?"
My answer, "I don't know if I am."
"Why?"
"Well - here's the deal. Remember how my back was doing almost the same thing about 5 years ago? I went to a chiropractor and in a few weeks I was feeling a lot better. Toward the end of those weeks he gave me some stretches and some exercises to do to ensure 'back health'. And I did them periodically for a while with good results. But I stopped doing them 2 or 3 years ago. So, now I'm not that fired up about going back to him and asking him to help me through a situation I've brought on myself. If I can, I'd like to get through this without calling him."
"How's it working?", Anne Marie asks.
"Not so well."
All of this has been happening during the 60/60 Experiment so there have been plenty of opportunities to talk (complain) to God. And to hear from Him.
The conversation I summarized above was about my back and medical care but it could just have easily have been about my soul and God's care.
- How many times do I put off asking God for help in a situation because I carry the shame of not putting His words into practice in my life?
- How often does my pride (I can fix this) keep me from allowing God to be my 'soul healer?'
- Would God refuse to help me if I asked for help, solely on the basis of my negligence?
In the book of Hebrews there is a picture of Jesus that challenges my perception.
Now that we know what we have - Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God - let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all - all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. Hebrews 4:14-16 (The Message)
Pausing every 60 minutes to touch base with God has allowed me to recognize some of the obstacles that keep me from getting close to Him. Obstacles like pride and shame. I know there are more that will be uncovered in the future but right now it's time to swallow my pride.
I'm going to call my chiropractor.
In God's grip,
Pastor Steve
4 comments:
Well said.
After all you have been through and the scripture you quoted from Hebrews, wouldn't it be better to ask God for the healing?
Pastor Steve, I will pray for you and your back. About a month ago, I had hurt my back at work and for a week, under instructions from my doctor and my wife, I sort of rested it out and took pain pills. I know what it was like getting up out of a chair after sitting for a while. Though I never had any experience like that before, it certainly was different and I didn't like it.
May God place His hand on you and give you healing...or if He is showing you something through it that He will give you understanding. Be encouraged because I'm sure a lot of people are praying for you right now.
During that week, I was told that if I wanted to go to work, I would have to be a door greeter at Wal-Mart. My pride spoke up and I said "no." My wife assures me now that I wouldn't have been able to do even that. Still, since I have been doing the 60/60, and I am learning about God's Will not just for the future but in the moment, I began to wonder if God had something in mind for me during that time and I missed it. I don't know. Nancy says that she thinks God just wanted me to slow down and take it easy for that week.
I'd like to think that now my eyes are a little bit more open than they've ever been, because if God is trying to tell me something, I really want to hear him.
God bless you, Pastor Steve.
Me B
In response to Anonymous;
You raise a great question - When am I avoiding God by getting help from other sources? It's a great question and one that has applications to nearly every area of our life. Work, school, marriage, family, health, finances.
From your question I gathered that you didn't think I had or was asking God for healing. But I have and will continue to.
I'm also asking people to pray for me, which is a humbling thing for me to do. And that was really what I was trying to get across - that it's usually pride that keeps us from being willing to admit need, ask for help, let go of failed strategies and gratefully accept help that God has waiting for us.
Thanks for your question.
Can I add? - it would be great to know who you are.
Pastor Steve
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