May 15, 2008 |
| It's On My Heart |
 |
|
Pastor Ted
|
I've got this scar on my left arm from where I fell into a cow feeder when I was about 8 years old. On my other arm I have a scar from a motorcycle accident about 15 years ago. I've got another one on my leg and my Mom's words ring in my ears, "Don't pick that, It'll leave a scar!". She was right!
Those are the one's you can see. I've got more than my share of emotional & spiritual scars as well. Those experiences of my life that my Dad has always told me "I need to learn from". He was right too!
We've got all sorts of new medications that we can rub on the cut or scratch right away and it will leave the sight with virtually NO scar. Boy, I wish that were true of my emotional and spiritual bruises. What do I do with those?
Actually, God has a very resourceful way for you and I to treat those bruises and scars --- we are to use them! Listen to what Paul tells us in his second letter to the Corinthians: "Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us." (The Messege Bible)
As I see it's a matter of perspective. I can choose to keep my eyes focused on my own struggles and "hard times", wallowing in my own self pity, feeling so sorry for myself. OR ... I can get my focus back on God and ask Him to use me to help someone else in the same way that I have been helped. Perspective -- not on my self but on helping someone else.
My daughter died at the age of six. It was devastating. I was angry with God for doing that, after all, I had given my life to His service! How dare He treat me that way! But, I can't tell you the number of times I have sat with families who have lost a loved one and been able to genuinely say: "I know a little of what you must be feeling. I've been there". I've been able to share the grief as well as the feeling of the all encompassing presence of God.
Maybe you've been dealing with an emotional scar for a while now. Try turning it into something that God can use through you to help someone else. It'll change your perspective ... and maybe someone else's too!
|
Pastor Ted, I am so blessed to have you and your wife in my life. Be blessed.
shushila
You are right! You do know a little of what I've been feeling. Thank you for everything!
Thank you for the tender words you have shared, I too know a little of what you are saying, i'm there. It has been so hard trying to help another one in our own family to understand why a loved one has been called home. We still could use your visit sometimes, but we understand you are a very busy man. My prayer for all of us is :
Father please forgive our sins, and please have mercy on all of our souls. Forgive us for being weak, and for not keeping our eyes on you, Forgive for our doubts, and please help us focuss on your leadership; for you are our Streight, Life, Saviour; we can not do nothing without you Father God.
Father i also pray for our Pastor Ted, help him guide us all in your steps, teach us your well, and to help us all to keep our eyes on your word and leadership. Help Pastor Ted to remember his role as a leader, a listener, and will remember to do what your Son Jesus would do in curtain situations that may come to him; so he will be able to teach us, guide us, of the troubles that lie in front of us all in near future.
Father help us battle the spirit of fear, and confusion, for we know it is of Satain, and that it is not of you.
Father show us the lonely members of your body, and help us not to be so busy in our own lives to not see their cries, let our church brothers and sisters know they aren't alone; for we are out here to help, to listen, to care, we are just a phone call away, or a friend to come to their side. Father there is so much depression now, let us see with our own eyes whom is in need of help, Please don't let your church , your children hurt alone. I Ask from a humble heart in Your Son Jesus' precious Holy name. A-men