Another Emergency Room
A couple of weeks ago now I found myself in the emergency room of a local hospital.
This is not unfamiliar territory to me, nor has it been for too many years.
In the course of treating what ailed me, the doctor ordered an x-ray and a CT scan.
While both are wondrous tools of modern medicine, they scare the hell out of me.
You never know what they will find.
It is to my benefit to know what is going on inside me, but sometimes I’d rather not know.
Sure enough, the CT scan showed a serious problem unrelated to why I was in the ER in the first place and surgery is scheduled.
I’ll be better for it, but there will be pain and discomfort.
I often feel the same way about the scriptures as I do about CT scans and the like.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.”
(Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT-SE)
As I have often noted, I spend most of my time in the Scriptures reading the Gospels, in particular, the Sermon On The Mount.
The words of Jesus lay bare who I am…and demand an action, a cure for what has been diagnosed.
A choice has to be made…will I seek a cure or ignore the diagnosis…or worse yet, pretend I know better than the Great Physician.
My responses are usually a mixture of all of the above…but the Lord never stops telling me the truth about me.
The place of greatest conflict in my soul is the political and religious divide that we are caught up in.
I have a visceral response to all things (and people) MAGA…it should be easy to love my “enemies” as many of them used to be friends…
I think I’m on the side of the angels until the Spirit rebukes my lovelessness.
It all feels too hard…but unlike physical ailments, the Lord chooses what spiritual battles we will face.
We will always be our own toughest opponents…but the battle is for our souls and the battle belongs to the Lord.
We should stand against the ungodly and unrighteous ways that are being promoted even by those who are in the family of God.
We should fight even harder for the purity of our own spirits.
The Lord wants us healthy…where it counts for eternity.
Surgery is scheduled…daily.
Make your own application…
These bodies are breaking down, the older we get the more worn out the parts of our body become! May the Lord bring healing, strength and comfort to you Michael. Death is the doorway for all of us (not that you’re dying, although we are all dying, since the moment we were born). but death is the ultimate fear which is no fear at all according to Psalm 23
“Though, I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, yet I will fear no evil, for thou art with me!”
This is a great illustration, Michael. It’s just unfortunate that you had to write it. I’d rather hear about cats. Praying for you, ol’ friend.
John Donne,
Thank you for the kind words and prayers…and yes, we’re all headed toward the exits…
CK,
Thanks, my friend.
I’ll tell Liam he needs to start providing me with content… 🙂
So sorry, and I will pray the surgery will make a big difference in how you are feeling!
Every morning I need to ask God to correct my attitude and to pray for those I don’t care for (some are MAGA and just assume that I am, too). I’m learning to soften my words and my attitude.
Thanks, Linn.
Discipleship is a process…an uncomfortable one at times.
Prayers going up for you Michael that the Lord will bring you out of the surgery and heal you.
You’re in my prayers, Michael.
May God bring healing and peace to you, Michael.
Peace of Christ to you Michael. Prayers.
Thanks for the kind words and prayers all…
May you feel the presence of Christ the Giver of Life in every moment.
On my knees for you, Michael .
May healing and His peace be upon you .