I like to ask Papa-G a lot of questions.
Partially because I love the surprise of how He chooses to answer.
He’s so creative.
Yesterday I asked Him how to bring complete healing to my back.
I’ve suffered from back pain for a lot of my life,
But never lower back pain like this.
During our time in Kazakhstan and Georgia, I’ve experienced many pain-filled hours waiting for muscles to loosen.
It’s most likely the result of so many hours spent traveling overland, and too few hours stretching and strengthening.
Lately, it’s kept me from doing things I enjoy.
People have prayed for me.
Friends have come around me, doing the things I couldn’t do myself.
I’ve been challenged to receive help sooner instead of suffering-until-I-break – yet another fine-tuning for my pride and independence.
My back is about 80% better now.
Taking rest in Georgia, swimming in the salty Aegean Sea, and receiving the opportunity to visit an osteopath, massage therapist, and acupuncturist made a large difference.
But I want 100%…
So I asked Papa-G how to bring healing to my back.
He said: “Look at Proverbs 4:20-27”
///(Daughter), pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body.
Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.
Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil///
(Proverbs 4:20-27 NIV – emphasis mine)
The core of it all is the heart…it always is…
…which is kind of funny to me cuz isn’t that where He lives?
Does this mean He is really just saying: “Please stop piling that cheap crap from those dollar-stores-ideas in our living room. It’s cluttering up our house and getting in our way. I’ve got everything you need. Just ask! Stop pinning those empty words on our walls, and leaving those divisive thoughts on our table. You don’t see Me doing that, do you? You know better. This isn’t about just you, Beloved. It’s about Us. We live here and We have everything you need.”
This house is fully stocked…so HOW do I LIVE there?
Doing life His way brings LIFE and HEALING to the whole body, He says. (This is a promise):
1) Listen to what He says and how He speaks – tune your ears
2) See Him and what He is doing – direct your eyes
3) Allow what you see and hear from Him to soak in deep – make intentional time
4) Make choices about WHAT is allowed to enter that private heart-space with Papa – set boundaries on your heart
5) Avoid spending too much time with people who don’t have anything good to say – guard your ears
6) Be intentional about how you spend your time – it is valuable and costly
This course will bring life and health to your whole body.
Because you will be a WHOLE body.
No divisions.
No brokenness.
Pain-free.
This IS the journey we are on.
Right now.
This is what He is working out and teaching us to steward.
Focus your eyes.
Tune your ears.
Guard your heart.
My back isn’t 100% healed right now…
But it will be.
Time is just an earthly measure.
WHOLENESS is an eternal reality.
