Keep Moving!
The pain of the Golden Years has taught me much! As one lady put it while pushing through her PT exercises, our later years are more like brass than gold. Of course, she was referring to all the aches and pains as our bodies age. Our saving grace in our Golden Years is that God says in II Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV) “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day". We have many stories to tell of how God showed up and rescued us in the hardships of this life, strengthening our spirit and faith.
While we hang on to God’s Word for inner strength, we still have to deal with the physical challenges of wear and tear on our bodies as the years go by. My first joint replacement took place almost 10 years ago. My surgeon required all of his patients to attend an educational class on what to expect before, during, and after the surgery. The purpose was to increase our understanding of what WE must do in the process leading to greater success in recovery and mobility. I left that educational session with this phrase ringing through my head: “Your recliner is NOT your friend—you must keep moving !” For those of us that have gone through joint replacement, the last thing you want to do is MOVE after surgery! But the kicker is that recovery only comes from bending and stretching the muscles and tendons attached to the joint as you move. The temptation of the recliner is great but in the end, only moving leads to healing.
I find this lesson can apply to our witness with others as well. Using Jesus as our example, He kept moving, leading the disciples to unexpected places to bring healing in the midst of brokenness—meeting the Samaritan woman at the well who found Living Water for herself and others; Zacchaeus in the tree, a corrupt tax collector who would give away half of all he owned, after encountering Jesus as He moved through the streets of Jericho and dined in his home; the woman with the issue of blood healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ garment as He moved through the crowded streets of Capernaum; walking on the Sea of Galilee toward the disciples in stormy waters teaching Peter to always focus on Jesus when surrounded by fearful circumstances . . .
Just as Jesus moved toward brokenness to bring healing, we must do the same no matter our age. A neighbor that never goes to church; a single mother that is overwhelmed; forgiving a difficult co-worker; a person fighting addiction; someone with a life-altering diagnosis; a parent mourning the loss of a child; an elderly person confined to a rest home; a teenager in foster care; a homeless shelter always in need; a minister that could use some encouragement—we, as God’s children, must continue moving TOWARD them to meet needs for healing and never past them. God will use you; just be willing to be used!
Keep moving—our purpose through Jesus Christ only ends when He calls us home. Who knows—maybe your mansion will have a recliner in the corner of one of the rooms as you hear “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” I am guessing not, though, because we will be moving and dancing in the Presence of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
