Recently I’ve been feeling a little sorry for myself. That sorrow was magnified the other day as I spent some time with a couple of old college classmates. They were discussing their large salaries and hinted at lucrative retirement monies awaiting disbursal at the appropriate time. I saw the beautiful home that one of them lived in. And I could not help but compare what I saw and heard with my present reality. But God quickly interrupted my pity party to set me straight.
First, I received a Facebook message right in the middle of having dinner with these same people. It was a friend from the congregation of the last church where I ministered. He started attending while I was there and God began doing some wonderful things in his life. In his message he thanked me for a sermon he heard me preach which had been placed on the Internet. He went on to say some very nice things about me and my ministry. And suddenly God said to me, “that changed life is your prize, there is your reward.” Huh. Thank you God. Point made.
And then just this morning on television I saw a brief show about Stephen Hawking. He is of course a world renowned physicist. But he has a real problem. He has ALS. This is a debilitating disease which progresses over the years. For quite some time he’s been able to communicate through a speech generating device. The device operates when Hawking uses a small stylus to touch the screen. Sadly, his body has failed to the point that he is nearly entirely paralyzed. The television show revealed that the only remaining movement in his body is the twitch of a small muscle in his cheek. Computer experts have actually adapted Hawkings speech generator to respond to that minuscule twitch in his cheek. It is now his only way to communicate the brilliant thoughts which threaten to be trapped in his failing body. And then God made his point again. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You really don’t have it that bad.”
So at least for today the pity party has closed up shop and I am so glad for what I have. And best of all, although I am on the backside of the mountain, God has more in store.