Words From Our Members
10/31/11 – The following Devotional was recently distributed to team members by our Council President, Scott Koenig:
Morning,
As some of you know, my grandpa passed down a devotion book “Daily Walk with God” by Gockel that I *try* and read daily and often times the subjects are fitting for my day. Yesterday’s subject that I wanted to share was “Turning Burdens into Bridges”
2 Cor. 12:9 Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
A biologist tells how he watched an ant carting a piece of straw which seemed almost too heavy for it to drag. The ant came to a crack in the ground which was too big for it to cross. It stood still for a time as though pondering the situation, then put the straw across the crack and walked over on the straw.
What a lesson for us! We speak much about the burdens we must bear. But have we ever thought of converting our burdens into bridges, of having our burdens bear us up instead of bearing them up?
The apostle Paul had learned the secret of being borne up by his burden instead of being borne down by it. He had been given “a thorn in the flesh,” a physical affliction, the exact nature of which we do not know. But once he recognized his affliction as part of his Lord’s good and gracious will for him, he found that even his “thorn in the flesh” had brought him into a richer experience of His Savior’s love.
Even more! If we read the words quoted above in their larger context, we see that Paul’s very weakness made him stronger for the Lord. His “thorn in the flesh” became a source of inner strength which enabled him to accomplish great things for the spread of the Gospel.
With God’s help, we too, can turn our burdens into bridges – bridges that lead not only to deeper faith and brighter hope, but also to ever larger fields of service to our Lord and to our fellowman.
When we turn our burdens into bridges, we will always see our Savior standing at the other side of each bridge. The poet had this thought in mind when he wrote the lines: “Nearer, my God to Thee, Nearer to Thee! Even though it be a cross that raiseth me!”
Burdens, disappointments, crosses are inevitable in the believer’s life. Let us pray that every cross we are asked to bear will “raise us nearer” to the Lord who bought us.
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These words were inspired by Steve Jobs upon his recent death. The author wishes to remain anonymous.
You know that “wow” reaction? You have just read something that resonates to your core. It captures and articulates the essence of your own experience. That happened this week for me.
Steve Jobs, the former chief executive of Apple, just died of pancreatic cancer. There has been a flurry of articles about Jobs, his impact, legacy and Apple’s future.
One article quotes from a commencement address Jobs delivered in 2005, at Reed College, after learning he had cancer, but before it was clear that it would claim his life. Jobs told his audience that “death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life’s’ change agent. The benefit of death, he said, is you know not to waste life living someone else’s choices. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”
As a Christian, who lives with a diagnosis of a chronic disease, Jobs’ words struck a chord for me. Within the trauma of a chronic disease diagnosis there is the potential to redefine our priorities and choices. The diagnosis can have a huge and highly meaningful impact. Life is fleeting. As we age, the truth of that statement becomes more and more real to us.
Where Jobs says: “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice”, as Christians, we know this voice to be the Holy Spirit. How do we know this? The Apostle John tells us that our Lord Jesus promised: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.” John 14:16 What is the Spirit saying? Pray. Wait, listen in the quiet.
Pastor Marilyn, in a recent sermon, encouraged us to reframe our choices – saying “no” to one thing, enables us to say “yes” to something else. What that means to me is to focus. What are we uniquely gifted by our Lord, to do? And, with kindness, say “no” when it does not fit, to other great offers for the many and varied choices of where to spend our precious time.
Does it take courage to follow our hearts and the prompting of the Holy Spirit? Um…I would say, oh yes! There are so many good, worthy, well-intended requests and temptations that come our way. But, what did God make you for? When you are doing something and you can pause and say, “Wow, I was made for this” and you feel that oneness with our Creator, stop, land on that moment. Pray: “OK, Lord, keep talking to me. I believe this is what you made me for. I am listening. I am here for you, Lord.”
I think of the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to us in Romans 12:2,“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Yes, that takes courage! Lots of it.
And, of course, in that journey of chronic illness I confess that fear sometimes comes and sits down beside me, and tries to move in. The uninvited visitor. I call that – hearing the clock ticking. I find that this is a good time to unabashedly seek extra hugs from someone who loves me. Very therapeutic! Then, I try to get grounded back in the Lord and pray a verse that really helps me to get out of the fears of the future and bring me back to the present moment, where God is. Perhaps one like this:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
So, each day is a gift. Some of us may live with a chronic disease diagnosis. All of us have limited time on this Earth. Perhaps Steve Jobs words can remind us that this is an invitation, to live with greater joy and clearer purpose. How do we do that? More recently I have been trying to anchor myself firmly with the Lord, by giving thanks, in gratitude, for what I am experiencing in this moment. It works.
In the cards we are dealt in life, we don’t get to pick our own hand. However, we do get to decide how to play that hand of cards.
I wonder how many times Steve Jobs battled with fear? It did not paralyze him. The articles say he was very involved in planning the launch of the new iPhone4S. This technology is another huge leap forward in what is possible – from a phone! He focused, he continued to express his talents and he turned down all invitations to award ceremonies to honor him, so he could go home at night and enjoy the evening with his family. Managing the fear, and living intentional choices.
As Christians we can play that hand of cards we have been dealt, no matter what is in it, whether the chronic disease card is there or not, and reach out to God’s loving embrace knowing that He has something very special for us, yet to do.
Respectfully
submitted, A member of the OSLC community