Healing
It’s been 7 ½ weeks since I had an accident in AZ where the wind was so strong it actually pushed me over onto rocky ground (see blog post “Horseshoe Bend”). I still have some pain and tender areas, bumps and shadows of bruises and I’m in physical therapy for shoulder issues (torn tendon and rotator cuff injury).
Jesus is teaching me about Himself through this experience. I’ve learned that He never wastes our pain, shame, failures or successes; He uses it all. He’s teaching me how to partner with Him in my healing. I need to do my part. He will heal me but He wants my efforts. Doing my exercises, resting and not over-using or re-injuring my shoulder is my part. I believe He is actively healing me right this moment. Even though I’ve been told I may need surgery, I expect to be back 100%. Jesus and I have been through a lot and He’s been there for me even when I had nothing to do with Him. I believe He does things in my life without my efforts but in this instance, He wants to partner with me; He wants my efforts. There are several instances in the Bible where Jesus partners with people to perform miracles and there are times when He performs the miracles on His own. For example:
He turned the water into wine in John 2:7-9a; He partnered with the servants. He had them fill the jars with water and draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. After the servants had done their part is when Jesus turned the water into wine.
He partnered with His disciples in Luke 5:4-6 when He directed them to put their nets into the deep water and get ready for a catch. Simon didn’t think it would work and told Jesus that they had worked hard all night and hadn’t caught anything. But they would do it anyway just because Jesus asked them. After they put the nets down they got enough fish to fill two boats and the boats started to sink!
He partnered with ten men with leprosy in Luke 17:11-14 He had them go and show themselves to the priests and as they went, they were cleansed.
He partnered with the disciples in Matthew 14:17-19 when He fed 5,000 people from a 5 loaves and 2 fish; He gave the food to the disciples to distribute and then it was multiplied.
After Jesus’ resurrection He partnered with the disciples again in John 21:5-6 when He told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat to find fish. When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Jesus didn’t just have wine appear in empty jars, have fish flopping on the shore for His disciples, heal the lepers on the spot or have food suddenly show up in front of people; He partnered with people just like us to accomplish these miracles.
Each day I’m a little bit stronger than the day before.
I guess if the wind is occassionally strong enough to knock down a grown woman, I shouldn’t be too surprised it was strong enough to blow my fanny-pack and wallet off the dash of our van 2 weeks ago while changing drivers on our way home thru IL…
Glad you’re recovering.