I Had Forgotten, by Lon Alderman

Galatians 3:26-29
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Today, I was having a wonderful discussion with a dear friend and colleague over breakfast. In the midst of our effort to solve all the problems that effect the Church, we were interrupted by the restaurant owner. He shouted for us to draw our attention to the large screen television which showed pictures of the preparations being made for today's inauguration of President Barack Obama. This was an unusual thing for the owner to do. Actually, I'd never heard him speak until today. But that wasn't what upset me...

Before his words had finished settling onto the flour of this small diner an over-fed man in his sixties let go with a politically and racially charged remark! I couldn't believe he had said it! I don't know this man, but I can tell you a great deal about him as a result of his attempt at humor! This was so unsettling to me because I guess I had forgotten just how divided we are in this world by such things as political party and the color of a person's skin.

Lord Jesus, heal this land. Heal it from its divisions of gender, political affiliation, wealth, and race. Keep my mind sharpened to the need for healing, because I had forgotten...

In God we trust,
Lon

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith - Get Well Soon

Have you ever been sick? I mean really sick where you have to stop everything else and take care of you? I had that kind of sick this past week and it made me realize how quickly my priorities change and how much I take for granted my physical health.

When I'm not feeling well I will try any kind of over the counter or home remedy. When these fail I call the doctor. I beg to be seen and fast. All of my thoughts become focused on my health. All of my finances are reallocated to any type of remedy for my ailment and all of my time is spent on getting better.

Oddly enough before I was sick I didn't have any extra time, money or energy. Yet somehow my schedule has been cleared, my checkbook reallocated and my priorities changed. It occurs to me that if I am not physically healthy I can't use my resources on other activities, I must use them on getting well.

This applies to both short and long term illnesses equally. I once had an ailment that took over a year of modifying my schedule, seeking specialist advice and spending large amounts of money. I am sure you can think of at least one friend or family member whose life has been turned upside down due to medical condition.

How much more important then is our spiritual health? Maybe, just maybe, if I remembered how sick I am spiritually I might make more of an effort to seek out the doctor. I may also be more consistent in my treatment regiment. I forced to face a spiritual illness would I change the amount of time, money and other resources spent on getting well?

Just like my physical health, it is all too easy to take for granted my spiritual health. Please add me to your prayer requests for the "spiritually sick", and I will add you to mine. And if you need it, I can recommend a good specialist.

Matthew 9:12
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.