It's that season when we all seem to be spreading our germs around. Isn't it great when someone gets right in your face and shares with you how sick and fevered they are? As you attempt to back away they seem to sense your reluctance to hang around and hear all the gross details; its then they sneeze or cough your direction, as if to say, "You might as well listen now, you already have it."
Then, two days later, you feel that scratch in the back of your throat. Uhg!!
This is part of our life, though. Isn't it amazing, we can look into the cosmos at other universes, searching for the end of the world; we can look into the DNA that is God's program for our life; yet, still a little bug, a tiny virus can transform us to a quivering, fevered, sneezing and coughing, disgusting mess of flesh.
We find our self facing something we just have to live through. It's the result of a sin-fallen world. We find our self wondering why? Why did God allow this? Did He realize I have better things to do and no time to lay around blow my nose and moan?
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Don't you hate when feel like do-do and someone quotes that verse to you? But we need to hear it. We need to be reminded that there are bigger things going on than our life and our schedule. We need to remember that as a follower of Christ we've given Lordship of our life to Jesus. So, did Jesus give you a cold or the flu?
At this point we might go ahead and look beyond the cold and flu and ask about cancer, disease and afflictions to numerous to mention. As my Lord, did Jesus give these to me? Well, 'give' might not be the right word, but Jesus allowed it to happen. Our follow-up question is always, "Why?" We don't always get to know. Sometimes it makes sense later or we can see God at work through the season we are in, but that's more the exception than the rule. Suffice it to say that more often than not we have an opportunity to trust God.
As a follower in Christ, our testimony is we trust in Jesus. Do you trust him with the current season in your life? We didn't offer our trust with qualifiers did we? We didn't say, "Jesus, I trust you as long as things go well for me." No, that's not trust at all. There are many instances in the bible where folks were shying away from God because of unfavorable circumstances; all are examples of what not to do.
The writer of Hebrews deals with such a group. They seemed to be weak and shying away. They wanted to hold onto their faith but felt the cost was too high. Paul showed them the Hall of Faith in chapter 11; all those who went before. They weren't perfect people; they were however examples of faith and perseverance. It was if he said, "If they can do it, so can you."
If you're lying in your sickbed reading this, the last thing you want to consider is running a race. But, spiritually speaking, that bed is part of your race. Whether it's a cold or cancer, God has allowed this in your life. Do you trust Him in it?
Many times in Christian circles we see Satan around every corner. Yup, Satan and minions are always on the attack. They will do their best to stumble you and take you out. But do you see yourself as a victim of Satan? You shouldn't if you are a child of God. What the enemy meant for evil, God will use for your good; for building you up; as a tool of ministry and for His glory.
The difference between being a victim or a victor in this sin-fallen world is faith. As a follower of Christ we confessed that are sinful and incapable of living up to the standard of holiness. We confess that we've fallen short and could never work our way to goodness. We are wretched to the core. Sin had been our master and we discovered what an awful taskmaster it was; the penalty of sin is death.
The good news is Jesus went to the cross as the perfect sacrifice and died paying the debt you incurred. The even better news is that He rose again after His death. He is the firstfruits of greater harvest to come; we, those who trust in Him, are that greater harvest, destined to not taste spiritual death, but eternal life. The even greater news is that we have become sons and daughters of the Most High God with an inheritance laid up in heaven. Some day (sooner than we realize) all the sickness will be over; all affliction, cancer and disease will be wiped away. We will enter into eternity with our heavenly Father forever and ever.
What an awesome promise. While this isn't the short term cure for what ails you, it certainly puts it in a different perspective. Whatever you are going through today, or this season in life, is but a momentary affliction in the grand scheme of things.
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:12-13)
There is no harder time to exercise faith than when we feel bad, but it is at these times it is most important. It is said, "Don't doubt in the dark what you know to be true in the light." When we are well, we learn of God's faithfulness and His promises. We learn of trust and faith. When we are sick we must lean on that we know.
Be Blessed and Get well soon.
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