For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. Mark 9:41
Our family spent the weekend with my aunt and uncle at their lake house. Saturday morning our older daughter asked if I would go running with her so I agreed. I can usually run a short distance without much problem, however, this time it seemed as if everything was against me. In the end it was a couple of miles of pure frustration. It left me unsettled with a few questions: is this an anomaly, will I no longer be able to enjoy a good run, or is this something that I will recover from? Further is it may be yet another loss that I must accept and another limitation to undermine how I feel about myself? In any event, I kept moving one small step at a time…sometimes running, but mostly walking. In the end it became an object lesson about living well and led to a conversation with God about life and faith.
Acceptance
If we live long enough, our world often begins to shrink and we must learn to adapt. It doesn’t matter if our limitations are due to mental or physical illness, age or grief; they are still hard to accept. When we compare our current state with our former state, or worse, with what others can do or enjoy, we may see a great divide the appears to be too large to overcome. However, if we resign ourselves to each limitation as it comes without looking back or choose to accept our limitations for the moment, we are dealing with smaller, more manageable hurdles. While it may be “easier said than done”, accepting what we cannot change frees us from the internal battle and allows us to enjoy and appreciate the things in life that we are still able to do. Part of acceptance is shifting our gaze from what we cannot do to what we can do and what we can still enjoy…no matter how small the pleasure.
Self-image
The natural human tendency that comes with limitations is a poor self-image. Despite what we may think or feel, even in the best of circumstances, our ability to accomplish anything is very limited. However, our value comes not by the world’s standards of usefulness, but rather our Lord’s view of us. It’s not about the great successes we may have, but rather the faithful stewardship of the resources and opportunities that Jehovah gives us one small action at a time. Psalm 103:13-14 says: “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.” God thoroughly understands each of us and has ordained our lives to perfect us for eternity and to complete the tasks that He has created us to accomplish. Whether they are small or large, they require the same ingredients: our obedience and His sustaining grace and His strength. As we accept God’s will for our lives and live faithfully before Him, He draws us to Himself, strengthens our souls and helps us to view ourselves as He does. We are His creation, His image bearers, His children, His chosen, His redeemed and the objects of His affection. Consequently, from God’s perspective, we are neither incapable nor insignificant.
Service
If we take a close look at Mark 9:41, there is an eternal reward for an act that is insignificant by human standards, i.e. a cup of water. More often than not, living well and faithful service to our God is more about the small everyday things. Simple kindnesses such as praying for someone, offering an encouraging word, keeping a confidence, a warm hug to the hurting, a helping hand to those in need, overlooking a wrong suffered, visiting the sick, sitting quietly with a friend or a gentle, appropriate and godly reprimand to one who has erred are tasks that we are regularly called to but often overlook. God may call us to great things and will supply the strength and endurance if that is the case just as He does with the smaller ordinary opportunities to serve. However, it is loving our Lord and loving those around us while faithfully completing the small, ordinary tasks of life in a manner that is pleasing to God that not only leads to a pattern of godly living and allows us to look beyond our current circumstances to God’s promises for eternity and to rely on His strength and guidance.
As I walked back to my car the other morning, my prayer was not about recovering any perceived loss but rather: the wisdom to understand the situation, i.e. a permanent loss or small temporary setback; the grace to endure with joy; and the strength to faithfully serve no matter what the future holds. Physically, I am not the man that I once was. However, I have seen God use the physical limitations to help me grow in grace and I am learning to trust that He will continue to do so as He refines me. Therefore, as I face new challenges, I try to focus on one small step at a time towards eternity. I still get frustrated and lose sight of the eternal goals that God has. When I do, our Lord, knowing my frame, gently pulls me back to His reality and reminds me who I am before Him and that He will help me endure every circumstance.
When life is tough: accept what you cannot change so that you can enjoy what remains; remember that you are a child of the Most High God and that your identity rests in Him; and serve the Lord faithfully one small act at a time.
Forget what is behind and reach forward to what is ahead; pursue as your goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
Will