9 Mar, 2007
Straighten up!
It's hard to walk when you're bent over.
Oh My Aching Back!
The photo of this guy is not me (Byron), but it could have been. Today's story is my own.
Most of you are too young to have experienced back pain, unless you have fallen or been injured in sports.
Being middle-aged, I've had my share of "aching backs", but this week was the worst of my life.
Last Monday, I did something really dangerous - I stepped out of the shower and lifted one leg to dry it off. Pop! My lower back went into a spasm and I couldn't straighten up! Extreme pain! That's the last time I dry off my feet after a shower! I was so frustrated...
Next stop, the Minneapolis airport. My wife dropped me off. Bent over and unable to walk upright, I noticed people looking at me and nodding as if to say "Yes, we did evolve from apes!"
It was quite humbling to use wheel chair assistance and ride a cart with three elderly ladies, two with walkers and one with a cane. Smelling like old lady perfume, I received lots of looks as I boarded the plane and struggled to my seat to fly to Denver to work on 3Story!
As I write this, I have just returned from my second visit to a chiropractic doctor. Between getting the "parts" put back in place, some pain killer and a bunch of prayer, I'm close to walking upright again. I fly home today, but I'll skip the shower!
picture courtesy images.google.com
Psalm 84:11-12
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you! (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the importance of living to please Christ?
"Walking uprightly" is all about living an obedient life for the purpose of pleasing Christ in all of our thoughts and actions.
"Walking uprightly" allows us to look to our loving Father to receive His protection, His power, His blessings, and all that He loves to give us because He loves His children!
"Walking uprightly" is the key to being able to trust God, no matter what. With His Spirit controlling us, we see life with a Kingdom view. Bent over, we see only our limited and self-absorbed perspective.
Don't live in needless pain. Straighten up!
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Let Jesus help you understand why you have been walking bent over spiritually. Confess any disobedience and let Him forgive your aching back!
- Whenever you find yourself struggling to trust God, tell Him. Let Him show you what needs to be "put back in place" in your life.
- Watch out for attack from the enemy. Satan will surprise you when you don't have both feet on Christ's way. A spiritual spasm can happen quickly and really mess you up.
- For the next week, take a one minute walk every day totally bent over. Believe me, you'll remember today's scripture.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
The next time you have back pain or someone you know has an aching back, talk about today's DAILYBIDE. This will be a great way for you to be vulnerable and share more of your story, which may include some painful spiritual memories of not walking uprightly. Be sure to talk about how Jesus helps you learn to stand up and walk right again!
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