Strongest in my broken places

Over the past few months I have had an opportunity to reflect on the direction my life is taking. When I look back I have truly been able to take a close look at what things I like about myself and those which had to be changed. We have to choose how we want our character to develop based on our experiences. We have to choose based on what we know is the will of God. God transforms us when we accept Christ but we still have choices to make. We all age and face new challenges in our health. We have things in our lives we have to deal with and some of those things are not pleasant. No matter how unpleasant things can become I know God can and does use us according to His plan for our lives. I have been blessed beyond measure.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

(2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

To start with, I want to let you know I do believe in God's love for us. I believe He is able to heal the body and the mind completely. However, I do know I have prayed for people who He healed and for people who did not recover physically. Because God does not heal a person of an affliction does not mean He doesn't hear us. It doesn't mean He doesn't love us. It means the time is not right or He will use this person as they are. I myself have conditions I wish I did not have to contend with. I have mentioned them before so I won't go into them. We all have something in our lives we feel hold us back. We feel they keep us from living our life to the fullest.

Paul said he was attacked by a messenger of Satan. All Christians can relate to this. God in turn used this for the good of His kingdom and for the good of Paul. I do not know what the condition Paul was speaking of here. God used it rather than remove it. I myself asked God to remove my problem. Many times I asked God to heal this problem. He let me know my particular condition helped me to pray. I am of much more use to you and my friends if I pray for them. I am of much more use to God if I pray also. While He did not heal the condition, He made it bearable and useful to Himself. He didn't heal the illness...He healed my mindset towards it.

When you weld two pieces of metal together, the weld becomes the strongest part of the metal. This is what God can do with those broken places in your life. He can become your strength in the areas you are not strong yourself. I am not sure if you have a "thorn in the flesh" to contend with today. I do think the first thing to do when you are not well is to pray about the matter. Give it to God and see what He will do. God does heal and I don't want to make you think otherwise. I have seen it! I have received it myself! My prayer for you is for you to be well and whole. Should God choose to use you as you are, I pray He would be strong in the broken places of your life.

Father, I pray for those who read this today. I ask you would take any concern they may have and comfort them. I ask you would take any illness or medical condition they have and heal them. Use them for your glory in the way you decide Lord. I ask for your peace to flood them and allow them to rest. Grant them strength for whatever they have to face. Become their strength in all they do. I thank you for who you are. I praise you for all you have done and all you will do. May the love you have for them cover them as a blanket Lord. Even now make it so. I thank you and ask these things in the name of Jesus, Amen.

A Divine Appointment

On a mid-summer evening several years ago, we arrived at church on a Wednesday night for the midweek prayer service.  My wife and I were new in our music ministry and had been scheduled to do special music the next Sunday.  We arrived with some young people going to youth meeting and our daughter and her friend who were a bit younger.  When we parked the car, we got out and I leaned over for my Bible with my right hand.  My left hand was on the jam of the doorpost in the center of the car.  My daughter didn't notice and slammed the car door.  Two of my fingers were crushed when the door shut. 

One of our friends worked as an EMT and came out of the church when they heard about my hand.  The knuckles of the ring and middle fingers were crushed on my left hand.  My EMT friend looked at my hand and said "I am so sorry, Khris. They look like they are crushed." 

Since I am right handed, I chord the guitar with my left hand.  I told him I had to play on Sunday and he didn't say another word.  He was thinking that was not going to happen.  Someone agreed to watch over the kids while my wife and I headed to the doctor's office.  While we wondered about what the Lord would do, we knew this was in His perfect will somehow.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28)

I don't recall any pain after my fingers were out of the door.  They went numb.  Even with the swelling the knuckles were flat as they could be.  We went to one of those emergency care places where you don't need an appointment.  I call them a "doc in a box."  My regular family doctor had closed hours ago and it was closer than the emergency room. 

While we were sitting in the emergency care waiting room we started talking to a woman across from us.  She was waiting on a friend who was seeing the doctor.  We started a conversation and were talking about the accident that brought us there.  My fingers were a wonderful conversation piece at that time.  I wanted to know about her though.  It wasn't long before I knew she wasn't a believer and I began telling her all the wonderful things God had been doing in our lives.  She was really interested in hearing about God.  We talked for a while and I basically gave her the Gospel message.  She listened intently and asked questions but wasn't ready to make the commitment that night.  When I looked down at my fingers they looked normal.  There was a little pain but I could move them now.  By the time I got back to the doctor and had the X-rays taken there were no crushed or broken bones.  My fingers had been healed.

I believe the only reason I was there that night was to tell the woman about Christ.  In fact, I know it.  The Lord will put all sorts of people in our path so we can share the good news.  Sometimes He puts us in their path.  That was God's purpose that night.  I was able to play the guitar on Sunday.  I was playing the same night, as a matter of fact!  There was no swelling or soreness in the fingers.  They had been healed.  I saw this happen with my own eyes! 

No matter what your circumstance you can be a blessing to God by being faithful to do His will.  As a Christian you are called to share of yourself with others who need Christ.  Jesus really went around loving people.  To walk as Christ walked means to love people as He did.  Redeeming the time and making the most of every opportunity is important.  Remember, you may be the only one God has chosen to share with the person He has put in your path.  They may not get another chance if you are not faithful.

Father, I thank you that you have shown yourself in mighty ways on more than one occasion.  I am blessed everytime you give me an opportunity to share your truth.  I ask that you would continue to put people in my path.  Thank you for those who read and have been such a blessing to me.  I ask that you would bless them this day.  Supply their needs and comfort their hearts as only you can.  Help us to remember the honor you have given us as your children.  Strengthen and guide us in your perfect will this day and be a blessing to all we come in contact with.  I ask this in the name of Jesus.  Amen.