Accepting Harsh Realities

Accepting Harsh Realities

My cup overflows. Ps 23:5

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1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalms 23:1-6 (NIV)

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Samuel was moving into his own apartment! Now that was quite an

accomplishment and Samuel could hardly contain his joy. A broad smile was

beaming from his face. A young lady was assisting him as they prepared

the apartment for his arrival.

I remember the first time I saw Samuel. He was in a wheelchair and his weakened

legs were elevated waist high. Samuel pulled up directly in front of me as I sat on a

sofa in his house. A staff support person called over to make sure that Samuel wasn’t

just trying to get out of supper preparation. No, Samuel wanted to talk to me.

He said, “God doesn’t always heal people.” There between us were his legs that had

never been useful to him for walking or running. Samuel had only recently come to

his new home. He had been learning about God’s love for him and that Jesus

healed the sick. It was obvious that Samuel had prayed for healing.

We spent the next half hour talking about situations where God sometimes removed

an obstacle in our lives and other times when He chose to stand with us as we faced

the obstacle or bore the burden. No one seems quite sure about what the apostle

Paul’s ‘thorn in the flesh’ was, but we do know that God did not choose to remove

it. Instead, Paul found that God was sufficient and that his life was richly blessed.

Samuel really didn’t want to hear about times when God chose to work with us

while not removing our challenge. However, in the years to follow, Samuel began

to appreciate the blessings that continued to enrich his life. He won loyal

friends and began to live life with great enthusiasm.

Samuel is now living in his own apartment. He has people to assist him according

to his needs and wishes. While his life experiences may not be everyone else’s

experience, Samuel has found God to be sufficient. As a follower of Jesus, he has

found others with a similar commitment. Together they are walking with God,

enjoying friendship and feel enriched with hope.

Life itself is a wonderful gift with endless possibilities. Let’s take hold of it, throw

off the negative things that cripple our enjoyment and step boldly forward with

Jesus into the future. Maybe this would be a good time to read Psalm 23 again?

 

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Heavenly Father, help me to rely fully on You. Rather than being filled with fear or

worry, may I gain comfort in the knowledge that You are with me and that You are

more than enough. Amen.

 

- Noel Churchman

 
Noel was the Executive Director of Christian Horizons form 1976 to 2001. The devotionals we will be using are from a book he wrote in 2005 called “Walking with God”. Noel’s reflections are grounded in his experiences as an educator, and provider of supports for individuals with exceptional needs as well as his life as a dedicated follower of Christ.