As I returned home from an appointment with the orthopedic doctor, I pondered his professional recommendation of a total right hip replacement. I began the process of contacting my primary care doctor, making room on the schedule (I was asking God to stop the sun for two weeks and he said “No!”), and eating less red velvet cake — or at least just eating it on the days with a “T” in it.
I had a feeling I was going to have to come to a decision after the pain never stopped. Quick turns were sharp reminders of my physical limitations, and my walk was becoming slow “Six Million Dollar Man” motions (some of you remember that series). The clincher was when I began to hear the greetings of “Festus, is that you?” from smiling congregation members.
The discomfort does not keep me from my mild schedule and relaxing routine. (Some are laughing at that last statement. I can hear it.)
Being still is not my favorite pastime nor a spiritual gift. However, after reading the beginning words in John, chapter five, it caused me to hold my complaining. The authority of the creator and great physician enabled a man who was unable to walk. The immensity of this miracle is found in verse five: “Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.” That’s a long time to be still and wait.
Yet, when God knew that the time was right, Christ commanded the man to simply “rise, take up your bed and walk.” After all that time, God spoke and immediately healing, help and hope came. Did you catch those first four words of the last sentence? After all that time.
I tend to complain to God in the seemingly endless and drawn-out moments of my discomfort, and I also believe I am not alone. I wonder what painful limp I have on a spiritual hip that has caused a lame faith toward the perfect timing of my heavenly Father?
Author John Ortberg said, “Biblically, waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be.”
It reminds me of what the psalmist wrote in Psalms 40:1. “I waited patiently for the Lord.” I guess the two weeks I will be down (but not out) for recovery is a wonderful chance for me to learn that stillness is a principle better practiced than preached. By the way, how is your hip?
Chaplain Ret. Maj. Daniel Middlebrooks is president and CEO of Comprehensive Chaplaincy Care and Consulting and pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church. For more information, call (813) 767-2082 or email to chaplainmiddlebrooks@hotmail.com.