HoHum:
We can learn something about a person’s values by reading their bumper stickers. I’ll start them and you try to finish them- some are twisted
Where there’s a will... I want to be in it; He who laughs last... thinks slowest.
If you can read this... I’m not impressed. Most people can read
I think... therefore I’m single; Marriage is grand... divorce is 100 grand;
Honk if you... are Jesus; In case of rapture... Can I have your car?
My other car is... rocket powered; I brake 4... bacon wrapped hot dogs ; God is my... co pilot
WBTU:
Being impaired has a way of putting things into perspective. Our true priorities emerge.
Suppose a family is shopping at the mall. Suddenly, the parents realize that one of the kids has wandered off. They quickly look around. There are people everywhere. The stores are jam-packed. They do not see the child anywhere. The child was there a moment ago and now he is missing. He has completely vanished. Whatever their plans had been, they instantly change. Finding that new pair of shoes has to wait. It no longer matters what else they needed, what else they had to do, or how big a hurry they were in. They stop what they were doing. They clear their schedules. They quickly gather up the other kids and get to work on the task at hand. Now they have a new priority; find that child. A life limiting diagnosis or condition can bring this same kind of focus and clarity into someone’s life. Suddently other things become less important. This is now the priority; dealing with the challenges this impairment brings.
Read Ephesians 5:15-17
When we face any kind of serious crisis- when “the days are evil”- the Bible encourages us to use this time wisely and to benefit from this season of reorientation. We should “walk circumspectly” and learn to keep everything that happens in perspective- so that “the things which cannot be shaken may remain” Hebrews 12:27.
Thesis: What can we learn from a life limiting condition or any kind of impairment?
For instances:
I. Redeem the time- vs. 16
Life is too precious for us to waste the time we have been given. In reality, this is true for all of us. We should participate only in the things that matter and add value to our lives. Time rushes past so quickly! Why waste a day or even an hour of the time that remains? We should fully invest ourselves in that which honors God, love others and contributes to everyone’s overall well being- and leave the rest until later, or don’t do it at all.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13, NIV. God will give us strength to do what is worth doing. Fulfilled the last wishes of patients- Reds game, Comic-con, National Museum of the US Air Force, trips to the Ark in Dry Ridge
KJV- walk circumspectly- Amplified- Walk carefully (living life with honor, purpose, courage)
We do this by giving careful consideration to our circumstances and our actions, while being mindful of the possible consequences. Regardless of the amount of time any of us have left, we want to make every day count.
Unable to do what I want to do! When talking about hospice patients, need to conserve energy for things that are important- usually friends and family that come to visit
Although we are free in Christ, Paul reminds us that not everything is beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23). In Romans 12:11, he tells us to “use your energy to serve the Lord” (God’s Word Translation). That’s the best way we can use our limited energy. Don’t waste our limited energy on things that won’t matter in the long run. If we recognize that we don’t have enough time or energy to do what God wants us to do, something has to go. Unable to keep adding things, must cut something out. Don’t keep adding on.
Keep everything balanced?- don’t hold to that anymore. In the TV series 7th heaven, Grandmother Ruth said to her granddaughter Lucy when Lucy was trying to keep her schedule balanced, “I don’t think that is possible. Oh, please everyone is talking about balance these days, and what for. I think that balance is way over rated. I don’t even see why it is an issue. Did your father ever think about balance while raising a family and working? No. Did your grandfather? No. So why is it an issue at all? If you ask me I think it is even a luxury to even worry about such things.” “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33, NIV.
II. Do Not Be Unwise- vs. 15
We learn from an impairment that new challenges will often require new perspectives and new solutions. A life limiting condition often involves a new series of experiences that can force us out of our comfort zones. We may be challenged to consider things and do things that we have never thought of before. This is a journey that will take experience, knowledge, patience, and good judgement- in other words, wisdom!
“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:6, 7, NIV.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5, NIV. Wisdom is the best use of knowledge. Lord will guide and give wisdom but first we have to have God’s knowledge. Study the Bible.
We walk in wisdom when we allow God to guide us and be a rock that steadies us. We weigh everything against God’s truth and what He has said about us and promised to us. That perspective is valuable in all areas of life, with or without an impairment.
In the movie Casualties of War, Michael J. Fox portrays a soldier in Vietnam. His fellow soldiers have done terrible things because they believe that they will die soon anyway, might as well have fun while they can. Michael J. Fox’s character says to his fellow soldiers, “Everybody’s acting like we can do anything and it doesn’t matter what we do. Maybe we got to be extra careful because maybe it matters more than we ever know.” “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms 90:12, NIV.
III. Understand the Lord’s will- vs. 17
Many make this a complicated topic- focus on God’s specific will for them. Need to focus on God’s general will for everyone and then his specific will (for an individual) will be known. Many things we could talk about that are God’s will for everyone. Go back to “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:21-24, NIV. Be born again- changed through the gospel. Then several things are mentioned that are God’s will for everyone in Ephesians (unable to mention all of them). Go to Ephesians 5 to find out some of God’s general will.
1. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18. Mentions wine here but talking about anything that can be an addiction. Drunk means the person is out of control and that is out of God’s will- leads to reckless living and broken lives. This is not God’s will. God’s will is that we be filled with the Spirit. What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? Does it mean to be out of control because the Spirit takes over? Give control over to God- bumper sticker- if God is your co-pilot, switch seats
2. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,” Ephesians 5:19, NIV. Speaking and discussing the Word of God specifically the Psalms. If singing causes the Word of Christ to dwell in us richly then so be it (Colossians 3:16). In times past, some church groups banned music. Ulrich Zwingli banned music from his meetings. Make music in your heart to the Lord, in other words keep it quiet; even so if it is in your heart it will come out through our lips. Sing favorite songs
3. “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20. “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Joni Eareckson Tada- I remember many years ago feeling trapped by my wheelchair. Then a friend showed me 1 Thessalonians 5:18. At first, I did not understand. How can I possibly give thanks for a life of total paralysis? But that’s when my friend wisely said, “Joni, that Bible verse doesn’t say to feel thankful; You can’t possibly do that. But it does say to give thanks. Giving thanks has nothing to do with feeling thankful. There’s a big difference between trusting God and having trustful feelings.” Well, it sounded doable, and so, I started small. I started giving thanks for little things and, over time, God rewarded me for taking those first, shaky steps of faith. He rewarded me with feelings of thankfulness. So, today, give thanks for small things. And your feelings will catch up
So what?
No matter what may happen, we want to understand and do God’s will. We want to walk carefully and make wise decisions. We want to do what we can to redeem the time. And we want to live everyday with an awareness of God’s goodness and mercy here and now and His salvation forever and ever. “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalms 23:6, NIV.
