Word of Encouragement #10 April 9, 2020

Today’s post comes from Office Assistant and CCC family member Samantha Ritchie

The Healer
‘When I was a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child.” Paul wrote these words to the church at Corinth. If memory serves, he was specifically speaking about the use of spiritual gifts such as prophesying and knowledge. But over the last week or so I have begun to feel as bewildered as a small child trying to understand how a brown cow can eat green grass and give white milk! And I don’t think I’m the only one.

In my various errands these last few weeks I have come across anxious people, confused people, angry people, annoyed people, oblivious people, and fearful people. But as the Body of Christ we are called to be a people full of peace.  
 
In the beginning of this Covid-19 madness I believe many of us thought we would be past this by Easter, but this week has brought yet more changes and decrees from those in positions of authority. Most ‘Shelter at Home’ orders have been extended through the end of April and some even to May. On site school has been canceled, you must stand in line to get into Walmart of all places, and even the city parks are now closed. And to top it off there is always the looming threat of ourselves or someone we love catching a potentially life-threatening disease. It’s enough to destabilize the calmest of us.

However long before this moment was ever a vague hypothesis in a Chinese doctor’s mind, God knew each and every life that would be snuffed out. And He saw the broken hearts of those left behind. Longer ago still God sent his Son into the world for every moment that sin’s blight has ravaged. In Luke, chapter 4, When Jesus explained his mission he reached back into the old testament to quote from Isaiah 61  saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” and then He told those sitting in the synagogue that “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

Jesus was proclaiming himself to be the long awaited-for Messiah who was foretold by the Prophets throughout the Old Testament. Then later in Luke 4, several days after quoting Isaiah 61 and after a long day of healing many people, Jesus comes to Simon Peter’s house at Peter’s request. His mother-in-law is sick with a terrible fever. Jesus stood over her, rebuked the fever, and she immediately got up and started making supper for everyone! Not only did Jesus heal physical ailments but he came to restore everything sin has destroyed.
 
Last week I came across this drawing by a young Puerto Rican artist who goes by the name Arte Carde. I love the imagery conjured by the Earth personified. Held by “Dr.” Jesus, a sick and sad Earth rests just as a sick child might in the arms of his/her Daddy. Jesus came to comfort those who are hurting.

Dear family, we can rest in the arms of the Great Physician, not worrying and wringing our hands in anxiety about the future. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7 to “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This is a clear command with a promise: to pray instead of worrying so that God’s peace will keep your heart and mind. So today I will take all my questions, worries, hurts and needs to Jesus. I will allow myself to be held and comforted and healed. And I will have peace. I pray you will join me.