I feel a little like Eliza Doolittle, star of “My Fair Lady” — a.k.a. Pygmalion. Her tutor, Henry Higgins, is trying desperately to help her speak like a lady of education and substance.
“The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.”
Her mastery of this simple truth signaled the Breakthrough that led to her major Life Transformation. But for me, at least lately, my next Breakthrough has been hinging on a different Truth altogether.
“The GAIN is plain. It’s mainly in the PAIN.”
I have been “sidelined” for many of the last ten days. A sudden and excruciatingly painful back spasm. No precipitating injury or accident that I could discern. Just PAIN that was immobilizing… in more ways than one, I guess.
What else can grind to a halt when we become physically bedridden, Lord… even temporarily? Our momentum? Our plans? Our hopes? Our dreams? Funny how quickly it seems we are surrounded voices encouraging us to never get up again.
I have been treating the PAIN with aspirin and a heating pad… and wondering about the GAIN. Wondering… except for Your Word, Lord, which promises that GAIN.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
These promises have Power. Because You said them, Lord. So we can believe them. We must believe them.
I’m not feelling the reality of these Truths yet. But it must be on its way… right? Maybe that’s the greatest initial “good” that has come out of this, Lord. The reminder that, apart from You, I will utterly fail. Every time.
Relentless physical pain is a force with which to be reckoned. I must admit… I have indulged myself in a bit of self-pity. Failing You in ways I wish I had grown beyond. But finally, by Your Amazing Grace and Abiding Love, I feel like I am failing forward.
“I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God!” (Psalm 3:4-7)
Expectantly,
Abba’s Girl
1 Comment
Oh my! Sure hope you are up and at ’em! Phew, we have been sidelined by a crazy August that has rolled over into Sept. We are still in the area, about to take Jessica and the boys to Massanutten. Shane is still too new on his job to go, but said it will be like a vacation having the house to himself!