Psalm 18:35

Living Lesson:  Help for Sinus & Sin

by: Christopher Wiles

“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.” – Psalm 18:35

 

I have a cold and a confession. Paper towel is my nose’s nemesis.  

 

You know that feeling.  Your cold is chugging forward on full steam.  You nose is running faster than Usain Bolt.  Your raw skin is redder than Santa's cheeks.  Then that dastardly event hits.  It can strike anywhere; while you're riding in a car, in a meeting at work, or in the hallway at school.  You kindly ask for that precious commodity of facial tissue hoping for one of those name brands like Kleenex with aloe, when someone hands you the dreaded brown paper towel of death.  They may be trying to help, but you resent them as you have no choice but to rip your face off with this rough substitute for soothing nasal salvation.  
 

You may laugh at my hyperbole, but I think it's similar to what is happening in our communities today.  The world around us is suffering.  Some are being battered and beaten by falsehoods, fake news, and self-serving ideologies that plague our culture while others are simply indulging, unaware of the consequences.  Some are red and raw from the daily grind of balancing work, family, study, health, and spirituality to finds themselves caught up in worldly escapes.  People are ill and need healing relief but some of us caught by culture are handing them rough paper towels of self-righteous judgment, condescension, and verbal combativeness instead of soothing relief for their "sin"us drip as we drag them to the Good Doctor. 

 

Jesus came to offer healing from sin and the physical maladies He touched on earth.  “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” (Matthew 9:35)  While you and I certainly aren’t Jesus, we do have a purpose in His healing process that includes drawing people to the Healer while we share comfort, hope, and encouragement.

 

From your face-to-face interactions to your Facebook reactions with souls who are ill from this world’s sin-sickness, are you the Kleenex with aloe or that resented and rough brown paper towel? 

 

Paul directs Titus, "To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people."(Titus 3:2)  Look at yourself and grade which type of facial wipe you represent.  Then choose to bring soothing relief today as you bring people nearer the Healer.  May God make you great through His gentleness.

 

Weekly I upload five short "Message Minutes" and one "Living Lesson" bulletin article to into the archive of my blog.  www.topherwiles.com  May my metaphorical musings inspired by the Master be a blessing to you as you strive to connect others with Jesus.