| Good Morning Everyone, Our theme for this month: “Resilience” Our Bible verse for today: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV) Our thought for today: “Live a noble life.” Yesterday I quoted the words of Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eye to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” I noted that the Psalmist had faith that he could turn to the Lord for help with whatever he was facing. I also noted that even if the Lord didn’t actually take away the difficult circumstances the writer was facing, He would enable the man to face his trials with strength and courage and to handle them in a noble and dignified manner. I have a friend named Tom. As a relatively young man he had a major stroke which left him bedridden in a nursing home. They told him he would probably never be able to get out of that bed again. He refused to accept that conclusion and immediately began working on his strength and mobility. Soon he was getting out of bed. They told him he would never be able to walk again. But he asked for a walker and some help, and soon he was slowly walking. They told him he would never be able to drive a car again. So, he taught himself how to drive again. They told him he would never be able to work again. So, he went out and got a job. That was decades ago and Tom has never given-in to his disabilities nor has he given-up. He moves slowly, and he does use a walker, but that has never stopped him. If the doors of the church are open, Tom drives himself there – and he refuses to park in the handicapped spots (“Leave those for someone who needs them”). Instead, he parks on the other side of the parking lot and with his walker he slowly makes his way across the parking lot and into the church (“Because it’s good for me”). And whatever activity is going on at church, Tom finds a way to be involved in it – from workdays, to mission projects, to mission trips. I’ve watched Tom slowly push his walker up and down the rows of pews helping to straighten the books and visitor’s cards in the pew backs. He has helped weed flower beds, pushing his walker with one hand and dragging a rake through a flower bed with the other. He has gone on mission trips. Despite tremendous challenges and trials, Tom has lived his life with strength and courage, with dignity and grace. His has been a noble life. No whining and complaining. No excuses. Just pushing forward and doing the best he can under the circumstances as they are. And why has he lived that way? Because that’s what resilient Christians do. That’s how resilient Christians live. I encourage you to resolve to live your life with courage and dignity and grace. Despite your challenges and trials, resolve to live a noble life. God Bless, Pastor Jim |
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