So, Monday started productively; lawn mowed, projects around the house completed, thoughts about the work week I would be starting on Tuesday morning. Except, I didn't! Suddenly in the late afternoon, pain consumed me to the point that Bev took me to the hospital at 9 PM. Until mid-day Wednesday, pain and medications kept me wrapped in a fog of confusion, unable to think clearly, pray only in the most child-like ways. Finally, this Friday morning it appears that I will be going home, but weakened. So, did I awaken this morning with the voice of the Spirit whispering in my ear, "This is the purpose of this 'lost' week?" No. The suffering, sleep deprivation, and time flat on my back makes no sense; yet!
The book of James says, "For
examples of patience in suffering... look at the prophets who spoke in
the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under
suffering. Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. From his
experience we see how the Lord’s plan finally ended in good, for he is
full of tenderness and mercy. But most of all..never take an oath, by
heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that
you will not sin and be condemned for it. Are any among you suffering?
They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be
thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord. Are any among you
sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray
over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their
prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them
well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven." (James 5:10-15, NLT)
The choice of the godly during 'lost' weeks is revealed in several words inspired by the Spirit: "patience, endure, keep on praying."
We just have to keep on trusting God, not changing course with the shifting wind of circumstance. God remains God even when what looks like
chaos blows over us. It's not real hard to sing Jesus' praises when the
sun is shining, when we feel great, and when life makes sense. Believe me, it is much harder at 2 am in room 517A, when pain twists me in half. It is quite natural to wonder if He is good and loving.
The
Spirit also warns us about trying to put it all behind us too quickly
with neat summaries, or big words of faith we don't really own just
yet. Sure I can say, "God has a purpose. God is working. God has done
great things." I 'know' these things but as yet, I cannot honestly say
that I can meaningfully apply them to this 'lost week.' I want to rush
to store these hours into some slot that shows a purpose, that makes them
valued, that takes some of the sense of loss out of them, but if I do
that without the Spirit's revelation, I will offend the living God! The
Message says, "Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no." The Lord wants us to be authentic, to let the process work; yes, to acknowledge He is God and we are not.
Positively, the Bible says to surround ourselves with people of faith in such times. Not simpletons, not those with some superficial happy-talk religion, but 'elders,' those who are tested by life, wise in the Word, and full of God's Spirit. "Ask them to pray for you," James says, "for their prayers bring healing." Healing is a word with a wide scope in the Bible. The word is "sozo," (sode -so) in the first Greek Bible. It is not just about making pain go away or making cancers disappear, though can be a part of it. It includes the ideas of keeping safe, of rescue, of saving, too! Prayers of those full of faith become life-boats that sail in the storm and carry us home. They keep us trusting, waiting, faithful.
So, on the advice of Pastor James and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I am patiently waiting on the Lord, trying not to make big boasts about the glory of the week (It was a terrible one, full of suffering, for the record.) I have invited the prayers of the saints and elders, which have provided rich comfort.
I am taking this benediction and offer it to those of you who suffer today. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21, NIV)
So, on the advice of Pastor James and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I am patiently waiting on the Lord, trying not to make big boasts about the glory of the week (It was a terrible one, full of suffering, for the record.) I have invited the prayers of the saints and elders, which have provided rich comfort.
I am taking this benediction and offer it to those of you who suffer today. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21, NIV)
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