Waiting game begins for 24-week viral load ...
You would've thought that the prospect of soon discovering my 24-week viral load would be an exciting one. Instead, I found myself a bit fearful today as I went to the lab to have blood drawn.
It was a spirit thing.
During Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska, N.C., from Sunday through Wednesday, I realized how many people were personally lifting me up in prayer ... and I realized how limited my own prayer life had been. It was humbling how many pastors noted they had been praying for me during my Hep C treatment. One of them , whom I only know through Course of Study classes, stopped to ask how I was doing and said, "I've been praying for you every day. I told you I would be, and I have."
It's humbling, but reassuring at the same time -- particularly given my present spiritual state.
To use a little religious-speak, I've been "in the desert" for some time now, meaning that I've found it difficult to pray. I had created a "desert" for our Lenten experience at The Meadow, and it seems I have created my own spiritual desert as well. It has nothing to do with feeling absent from God; in a way, I'm not sure I've ever felt closer. Yet, this absence of real intimacy in prayer has set me up for a great desert battle in my spirit.
Fortunately, God revealed the many people who have been "standing in the gap" for me during this time.
There's a great Old Testament analogy in Exodus. Israel was in battle and when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Moses' hands grew heavy, so Aaron and Hur held up his hands ... one on each side. That's how I feel: Someone else has been holding me up in prayer while, for some reason, I've grown weary.
I think God revealed that to me to help lead me out of the desert ...
So it was that today I called my friend John, looking for someone to pray with as I prepared to have my blood drawn to measure the viral load. He was on the way to a weekend retreat in Asheville with his wife, and yet he made time to pray with me over the phone.
I knew he would, just as Moses likely knew Aaron and Hur would be there to support him.
In preparing for the Hep C treatment, I was aware of the mental and physical issues that could surface. Yet, I was unprepared for how they could affect me spiritually ... presenting roadblocks and spiritual barriers.
It's time to get armored up for the next 24 weeks: the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, and feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. All of those things make up the full armor of God ... and no one should presume to be in battle without them.
Grace and peace ...
It was a spirit thing.
During Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska, N.C., from Sunday through Wednesday, I realized how many people were personally lifting me up in prayer ... and I realized how limited my own prayer life had been. It was humbling how many pastors noted they had been praying for me during my Hep C treatment. One of them , whom I only know through Course of Study classes, stopped to ask how I was doing and said, "I've been praying for you every day. I told you I would be, and I have."
It's humbling, but reassuring at the same time -- particularly given my present spiritual state.
To use a little religious-speak, I've been "in the desert" for some time now, meaning that I've found it difficult to pray. I had created a "desert" for our Lenten experience at The Meadow, and it seems I have created my own spiritual desert as well. It has nothing to do with feeling absent from God; in a way, I'm not sure I've ever felt closer. Yet, this absence of real intimacy in prayer has set me up for a great desert battle in my spirit.
Fortunately, God revealed the many people who have been "standing in the gap" for me during this time.
There's a great Old Testament analogy in Exodus. Israel was in battle and when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Moses' hands grew heavy, so Aaron and Hur held up his hands ... one on each side. That's how I feel: Someone else has been holding me up in prayer while, for some reason, I've grown weary.
I think God revealed that to me to help lead me out of the desert ...
So it was that today I called my friend John, looking for someone to pray with as I prepared to have my blood drawn to measure the viral load. He was on the way to a weekend retreat in Asheville with his wife, and yet he made time to pray with me over the phone.
I knew he would, just as Moses likely knew Aaron and Hur would be there to support him.
In preparing for the Hep C treatment, I was aware of the mental and physical issues that could surface. Yet, I was unprepared for how they could affect me spiritually ... presenting roadblocks and spiritual barriers.
It's time to get armored up for the next 24 weeks: the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, and feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. All of those things make up the full armor of God ... and no one should presume to be in battle without them.
Grace and peace ...
posted by Pastor Buzz at 5:40 PM
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