This morning I went into a postal store to insure some packages were mailed out. I waited for the attendant to finish with the young woman sitting in a walker type wheel chair with several monitors attached to the top of her chest. Her Michigan driver’s license was on the counter, so I asked her if she had moved or was here on vacation. She said she was just visiting, but had lived here before. My natural response was to ask what drew her to Michigan from sunny Florida. She replied that her family had moved there and she moved in with them when she “got sick.” We talked about the differences in climate and she became one of the few who said she missed the humidity. It was at that point that I truly sensed the pain of her position in life. After her comment her friend whisked her away and I found myself hurting for her until the attendant asked if she could help me. As I left the store I found myself praying for her healing and God’s presence to be powerful in her life.
I haven’t been able to get her off my mind for very long today. It’s not like I haven’t seen others in similar situations. I just wonder if the things I said to her held any meaning or if she left wondering about another person’s insensitivity to her condition. Inevitably, my thoughts led to “why God?” As soon as the words are out of my mind, I know better and realize that there is significance and purpose in every life event we encounter. Today’s meeting reminded me of John 9:1 – 7 and the story of the man Christ healed who had been blind from birth. When his disciples asked: “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” Jesus answered neither, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me.” This man needed Christ’s attention and his whole life was centered on a single life changing event. The same is true in the first two chapters of the book of Job. Like the man Christ healed, Job had not sinned, but was there for a recorded event for millions upon millions to keep the eternal context in mind.
While I struggle internally with the plight of this young woman, I know there is purpose in her life and that God is doing what needs to be done to fashion her into what she needs to be or help her see the reason for her position. I’m sure each of you struggles with questions like this when you think of the millions who starve to death daily in the 10/40 window. I know at some point in your lives you have wondered what it must be like to willingly sacrifice your life for someone you love or your faith. And the reality is that you may never know, because you will probably never face that kind of testing. But it is good to question your position, the strength of your faith and grasp the value of the eternal perspective over the challenges of here and now. (Philippians 3:8, 2 Corinthians 3:10 – 11)
Guys and gals, there are some questions that don’t have answers, because we do not have eternal eyes and even if we did we probably wouldn’t be able to put it into Kingdom perspective. So, we accept what is in front of us. Acceptance leads to contentment and an attitude of gratitude. Pray for understanding of the context for each and every person in your life. Live and learn.
Love Dad