The Limp

2 Corinthians 11:24-26 "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move." NIV

Agnes, our goat, suffered a ligament injury to one of her hind legs during the winter which resulted in her being fitted with a solid brace. The brace was meant to hold the damaged area in place allowing it to heal, and to give Agnes extra support so as to be able to walk on the injured leg. Unfortunately she would not put her foot on the ground for fear of pain. After a month, we removed the solid brace and put on a soft brace, but still she would not use the leg, even though we could see that the injury had healed. Agnes was now crippled by the thought of pain. Finally we took the soft brace off and just left her to see what she would do. Gradually she began to very gingerly try using the now almost useless leg. Day by day as she realized that she could use the leg without pain she became more confident. Today she stills walks with a limp, but with the aid of the soft brace, she is once again vibrant and active.

Agnes' ordeal and reaction to her injury brought to mind the sufferings of the apostle Paul who endured so much for the Lord. Beatings, rejection, danger, and stoning were not uncommon for this Christian soldier. And yet Paul just kept going. I imagine there must have been many a day when he hobbled, or limped along upon his journey. There must have been times when he suffered excruciating pain and yet amidst it all he never gave up. Paul did not allow himself or his ministry to be crippled by the thought of pain. He did not tuck himself away in a corner and vow that because he had been hurt by others he would never place himself in such a position again of serving the Lord in such a way. Indeed he was a marvel of courage, strength and perseverance. He is an example to all of us when it comes to overcoming, not only the pain and injuries we too may suffer in this world, but especially the crippling fear that such suffering can generate. For fear can immobilize us. It can keep us from reaching out to others. It can keep us from active service within our community, our church, even within our own homes. Injuries heal, even though scars may be left. But fear is the culprit that has the power to rob of us of a full and vibrant life in Christ.

And yet God has said through His word in 1 John 4:18: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (NIV)

Paul understood this. He realized that any suffering he was called upon to endure was doable in light of God's perfect love for Him. For amidst that love Paul knew he would also receive the strength, courage and perseverance necessary to keep going for the Lord, even if it meant limping along from time to time.

How about you? Have you been crippled by the fear of pain: A fear that has robbed you of a full and vibrant life? If so I would encourage you today to choose to place your trust in God's perfect love and provision for you and by faith to take your first tentative step back toward the vibrant fulfilling life God has planned for you.

Prayer: Father God, fear is such a powerful enemy and yet Your love is more powerful yet. Strengthen and encourage us to constantly place our trust in Your perfect love and provision that we may each lead full and vibrant lives in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Lynne Phipps Atlin, B.C.