A Temporary Phase Of Life, A Time Of Testing

I am writing this article at a new phase of my life. My 76 year old left leg became very painful,  resulting in taking time off from work. This became my new normal.  However, as my physical body has aged, I can still continue to renew my inner spirit (II Corinthians 4:16).

As I face days of physical healing there are those who need a spiritual rehab, fallen sinners who need to find the grace and love of God in a society and world that has embraced the love of darkness rather than light.

In the midst of circumstances, we have been admonished to be thankful so this is a testing of my faith (I Thess. 5:18), and the sun will still come out tomorrow. Also, I need to remind myself that there many who are going through afflictions ten time more difficult than what I have been experiencing.

Life is filled with the unexpected, but God knew that this would happen. He knows what will happen in the beginning, the end, and everything in between.  I can experience God’s love and grace in the midst of trying circumstances. My wife became the “arm of God,” who cared  for me in a time of physical limitation. I am the humble recipient of God’s love, knowing that there were times when I was helpless. (When my wife was away I had  companionship with my girlfriend, GiGi, our miniature poodle.)

The same can be said spiritually. While we were still helpless sinners Christ died for us. He can lift up the fallen. Little did I know when I wrote the article on that subject a few weeks ago that I would be in that same situation. If you are one of those who has fallen, physically or spiritually, you can come back to God’s love and grace.

I do not know what my future holds. No matter what happens, I will continue writing because that is my calling.  I know that God is in control. The big question is, how well will I be listening to what he has to say to me? I must not live in fear but by faith, while at the same time accepting the reality of situations.

“God is able to make all grace abound to me, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, I may abound in every good work”(2 Corinthians 9:8).

”Now to him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that I ask or think, according to the power that works within me” (Ephesians 3:20 is my life verse.)

It has turned out that my problem was taken care of by a chiropractor who adjusted a major joint in my body that had shifted its position. God put all the parts of our body in the proper place for a reason and made them work together in order to live a pain free life. When one thing gets out of whack it affects other parts of the body which was, in my case, the leg.

The same can be said for the spiritual body of Christ. We each have a role to play in the Kingdom of God. When one is not fulfilling his or her role it can affect others and the family of God is not functioning as God intended. As every physical body part is here for a reason, so each Christian is important in using his or her gifts and abilities for the benefit of God’s spiritual family.

If you don’t already know, ask God what you have to give to the spiritual life of his family.