Here is a snapshot of last week: Tuesday morning, I made a run to Ord, taking some folks to a doctor’s appointment, Tuesday afternoon, I took Alex to a dental appointment in Burwell. Wednesday, I had an eye appointment in Ord, Thursday we went to Cairo, Nebraska to look at a camper trailer, and Friday Alex had surgery on his knee in Grand Island. It makes me tired just remembering!
For a rather long time, Alex has occasionally complained of knee pain. After a season of dismissing it as “growing pains”, we took him to see an orthopedic surgeon. He gave us a diagnosis, and suggested surgery to fix the problem. Part of the procedure involved some trimming of damaged cartilage. Alex is now using crutches to get around, and will be for 12 weeks. He is to apply no pressure to his knee joint for those weeks. There is not space to explain it all, but if you want more information, just Google “Osteochondritis dissecans.”
Corrective surgery such as Alex had on his knee involves a certain amount of pain and discomfort, leading to restoration and healing of the joint. Seeing the pictures of the inside of his knee joint, reminded me that sometimes God has to trim up some rough edges in the hearts of his children. It may not be visible on the outside, but we just might need the special touch of the Great Physician.
It may be caused by some sin we’ve committed, or maybe it is just the result of drifting out of fellowship with him by neglecting our quiet time, or skipping Sunday worship for a few weeks.
Many times the restoration of our relationship with the Lord calls for some internal repair. It usually involves some level of discomfort, maybe even pain, but it always leads to a restored fellowship with our Lord.
I’m reminded of the following scriptures: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). “Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind” (Psalm 26:2).
After his sin with Bathsheba, David prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). In Hebrews 4:12, we read “The Word of God is living and active…, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Are you needing some “heart repair” from the one who knows the condition of your heart? Submit to His healing hand, and let him restore you to perfect spiritual health.
In His tender care,
Pastor Jerry
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