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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 14, 2007 Disabled |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, March 14, 2007 by Penny Risen
Stepping through the doorway that afternoon, I was a bit alarmed when a man immediately rushed up to me pushing a wheelchair. I was at the hospital to visit a friend recovering from surgery, not for my own needs.
“I’m fine,” I told the man cautiously, standing up straight and looking him in the eye.
“I only thought …” he replied quietly and motioned to my foot.
Now I understood: I was limping a bit, having lost my footing on a patch of ice in the nearby parking lot. Coming out of the cold I also was clutching my coat collar closely and shivering. But I wasn’t disabled in any way.
Wandering into the ER/Trauma entrance, I’d probably presented a likely case for help, and I couldn’t fault the employee for being caring and ready to assist me. I smiled, thanked him, and the man directed me to the right elevator to see my friend.
Jesus knows what we need and looks past our pretense to our deeper cares and faults. We are damaged, disabled in the heart and soul --- no matter how we might protest or put up a brave front. Jesus expects us sinners to come to Him with our pain and we must be ready to accept help. As Christians, we also must accept a tough road of the mission, a path that won’t always be comfortable for folks like us with a tough, self-sufficient attitude. We need God and He’s there for us.
We surrender all; it’s the way it works, Jesus says in Mark 8: “Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead … Don’t run from suffering, embrace it.” He warns Peter and His disciples that His duty on earth involves suffering, and that by turning away they’d miss the reward of His grace and healing sacrifice.
I was embarrassed to have someone think I was hurt and in need of a wheelchair at the entry of the hospital that day. But truly, I was damaged inside: I was worried about my friend’s recovery, I was stressed about matters at home, I was unsure that events of the coming week would play out as I’d hoped. Some days we all need to let down and surrender, admitting that we can’t do it all by ourselves. And when we do Our Saviour is there to pick us up --- in spite of our doubts, flaws and disabilities.
Prayer for the day: Dear Lord, You are my strength when I’m weak and my guide when I’m lost. Give me the courage to surrender, and to bring before You my private disabilities for Your comforting and healing hand. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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