These past few months have been a series of peaks and valleys, hopes and fears rising and falling daily, drastically altering the landscape. A rhythm of bipolarization has just settled itself into place…
Watching someone you love suffer through great physical distress is simply all-consuming. Over time this rhythm can deplete their emotional, physical and spiritual determination to press on. The one step forward and two steps back just begins to feel Herculean. The valley calls out with the echos of loss. Loss of what was. Loss of what could have been. Much of the light is obscured by the great granite walls of sadness. In sheer exhaustion a soul can long to lie down in defeat. It can just feel too hard.
Living in a fallen world we know that physical ailments are possible, almost inevitable. Yet, we are never really prepared for it when they come. As believers in Jesus, we do have the great gift of hope and prayer. We cry out to the One we cannot see, knowing that we are seen and his ear is bent in our direction. We seek healing because Scripture tells us all things are possible with God. Day after day, this is our prayer and longing. But, possible is not an assurance.
Herein lies the walk of faith. The balance beam of trust. Can we steadily put one foot in front of the other on this walk toward eternity? Will we stay steadfast or will we fall off? If we are Christ-followers there is an assurance of healing at the end of this beam. We may get there dragging one foot or crawling on all fours, but get there we will.
You see, this beam once held the body of Christ upon it. He carried it. He was nailed to it. All the sin-laden brokenness that caused such an imbalance to the world was pressed upon his aching body. He knows about ailments and suffering. He has felt the heartache we feel in the hard days of life. And he did it so we could walk on this beam without fear of falling off. This beam guarantees that we can walk it in the trust that he is on there with us. We may not always feel his presence when our legs are trembling in frailty but the One we cannot see will see us through. This is the promise of the beam, the Cross of Christ. So, press on and trust that the balance is his work.
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them.” Hosea 14:9
“Trust in the Lord with all your hearts and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
