Matthew 3:1-12. Wilderness and Pruning
My current wilderness of fatigue and low energy can scarcely be compared to the wildernesses of poverty and isolation I endured in the past, but itamprsquos still a wilderness of sorts from which I am seeking the lessons the Lord wants to teach me.
A few years ago I fainted in the subway on the way home from work. Even though Iamprsquod never fainted before, I didnamprsquot think much of it, but my wife did. I just figured I was tired or hadnamprsquot eaten well that day. I had been working hard and my job came with a lot of stress. Why I thought that fainting on the subway was a normal occurrence, I still donamprsquot know other than it was yet another example of my blindness to serious conditions, such as my first wifeamprsquos alcoholism.
After my fainting I steadily lost my energy until I began to complain about it. I put on weight. I decided I needed to exercise more and eat better. I took oriental medicine every winter to help. As much as I enjoyed the exercise, it actually left me more tired and I continued to get fatter. I wondered if I was doing too much at church because on Monday I felt exhausted, not rejuvenated. I began getting regular ear infections, which I knew were one of Godamprsquos ways of pointing out that I was not listening to my body or to him for help.
Finally, my ear infection was so serious that I had to have a tube inserted in my eardrum to drain the poison in my middle ear. This meant I couldnamprsquot go swimming for at least six months, my major exercise. What was I not attending to? When I looked up my expiration date on the deathclock site, I had eight years left, which I didnamprsquot mind because then I could go to heaven and feel better.
My wife has suffered bodily fatigue, dizziness and depression for almost seven years due to a car accident. Both of us were in a similar unhappy bodily problem, hers more serious than mine. During our time of bodily wilderness, we had many sins to see and repent of. It was a time of spiritual healing for us. Then, at the end of 2017, the Lord led my wife to a new oriental doctor who practiced Eight Constitution Medicine. When I saw the improvements in my wife, I wanted to go too, which I did.
Suddenly the ailments weamprsquod been suffering for many years made sense with a new diagnosis. The major change in us has occurred through the new style acupuncture and diet. We saw this new treatment as kairos, Godamprsquos timing. The doctor is a Christian and her boyfriend goes to Wooridle.
In repentance for not listening, I have begun again uploading my QTs regularly. And as I regain better health and energy, I anticipate Godamprsquos direction for the right use of them for his glory, not my selfish comfort.
Application: upload my QTs three times a week.
Lord, forgive me my stone ears for not listening more carefully to you and to the messengers you sent me to guide me to better health in your service for your glory.
