“The Limp”

“The Limp”

I came to my prayer room this morning in a kind of gray mood. It was a partly cloudy with a chance of rain type of mood. For the past 2 or 3 weeks I have experienced significant pain in my right hip; maybe as a result of the recent stroke or maybe because of the deep TRX squats I started implementing into my workout regimen.

Whatever the reason the pain seemed to camp out by the side of my bed to remind me each morning that it was still there. I would hobble to the kitchen to make my morning coffee and then hobble to my office/study/prayer room.

Once there I would unload my cares on my Heavenly Father’s broad shoulders expecting instant relief because that’s part of prayer right?

(1 Peter 5:7)

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you”.

But instant relief didn’t come. I felt like the Apostle Paul probably felt when he prayed about the “thorn in his flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:11-13). God didn’t remove the thorn from Paul yet He manifested His greatness and strength through Paul’s weakness.

In all honesty those scriptures brought me little relief. I thought to myself and asked God, “can’t you manifest your greatness and strength in my life without this pain” 🙁?

See my prayers now are just honest conversations with God.

I realized a long time ago that I can’t impress Him with my pseudo spirituality, the length and cadence of my prayers or even good works. He requires honesty, humility and a broken spirit.

(Psalms 51:16-17)

“You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.

You do not want a burnt offering.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.

You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God”.

As I stared out my window at God’s sunshine, tempted to feel sorry for myself, He reminded me how 46 years ago on January 4th, He stepped into my broken down, addicted, hopeless and hell bound life. He introduced me to His Son Jesus, took my sin sick heart and replaced it with a new one.

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

With that said, what’s a little limp compared to all that God has done for me!? Plus I’m in good company; the patriarch Jacob had a limp (Genesis 32:22-32) 😎.

So in conclusion I encourage anyone suffering any type of pain this morning whether it is spiritual, mental, emotional or physical; anchor yourself in knowing GOD IS GOOD, HE IS LOVE and a HEALER. Our symptoms of pain can never refute those facts!

And by the way, I’m still running my race 🏃🏽💪🏾 limp and all!