Running forward

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

-John 20:3-4

I feel for Peter for the moment depicted above. Yes, Peter ran slowly – I suppose he was the oldest, and people my age do eventually slow down.

But consider Peter's situation at the moment. In the previous mention of Peter in John's Gospel, he had betrayed Jesus not once, not twice, but three times - as predicted. Then, Jesus - his mentor, friend and Lord - was tortured and savagely killed.

Still, Peter ran. He ran forward that day and he ran forward to lead the rise of Christ followers. Peter ran forward despite his weakness and despair. And his acts echo to this day.

How many times do we face challenges? Stroke recovery, for example, can be a seemingly endless struggle.

With God's help, we can run forward.

There was a best-selling book a few years ago titled “Born to Run.” Are we all supposed to run? For some, it’s physically impossible. Some people don’t find it appealing at all. But we all can run forward with Christ. The author of Hebrews did not mean physical running when he wrote some of my favorite words:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

-Hebrews 12:1-2

'Cast all your anxiety on him'

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

-1 Peter 5:6-7

We've all experienced it - anxiety. Work. Marriage. Health. Children. Parents. The list goes on and on.

Stroke patients, too, can become consumed with anxiety. It's often uncertain exactly what the future will bring. Each human brain is unique, and therefore an individual's response to treatment, therapy and surgery is not guaranteed.

That being said, we have a place where we can place our anxiety, our fears and our worries. Take your issues to the one who has seen it all and can help remove your anxiety and fill you with hope.

Accept his love and hope. He will see you through.

Pivotal events, pivotal people

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

-Acts 2:4

Pivotal events in history. When something occurs that changes the direction of a people, a nation, the world. Books upon books have been written about pivotal events. There’s a whole cable channel devoted to history. We study those events in colleges and universities, in elementary and high schools. We are all students of history because we all witness history, and our lives are intertwined with history.

And characters in those stories – pivotal people in pivotal events.

And this is one of reasons why Acts is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It constantly talks about the precise timing and planning of God that created the Christian church and spread its message throughout the world. It gives me comfort to know that no matter how chaotic this world seems to be, God is truly in control.

The verse above is from the pivotal event of the day of Pentecost that launched the Christian church. Read the entire story in Acts. And even further back, explore the beginning of the festival that brought all those people who heard Peter's message to Jerusalem.

Now, are all Christians challenged to stand up and preach in a language we suddenly can speak? Maybe. Maybe not. But I’m certain we can – in some way – be pivotal people in lives that God created.

I will never forget the pivotal people of the day I had a stroke - the colleague who got me some help; the people who transported me to a hospital; the fact that, in 1998 at a small hospital in a small town, there happened to be a neurologist capable of using tissue plasminogen activator for the "Lazarus effect."

You can be a pivotal person in the life of a stroke victim by simply calling 911 and getting some help. Be willing and stand ready to be that pivotal person if that time comes.

'Qualities in increasing measure'

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-2 Peter 1:5-8

A logical chain of growth - you take one step, master one level, move on, continue to climb.

Stroke recovery is often that way. For years after mine, from time to time, I felt something changed from time to time, like another piece clicked into place.

And faith is a matter of progress - sometimes, slow progress - as well. Let it happen, even slowly. In your stroke recovery, in your faith journey.

Sounds like a downer until you think about it

For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.

-1 Peter 1:24-25

At first reading, Peter sounds like he's giving us a reminder of our own mortality. But think further.

Yes, grass and flowers wither - and they must be. Without withering, renewal cannot take place. The glory of renewal would never be known.

God's word is his promise - accept him, and you, too, will see the ultimate renewal in the proper time. And that's a great word.

(Photo from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources)

'Restore you and make you strong ...'

An incredible story in The York Daily Record, a story about a stroke survivor who lost speech but never lost faith:

Dan Kidd relied on his faith to help him adjust to his muteness and prayed to God that he would be healed. One Bible verse of particular comfort to him he found in I Peter: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

I won't say more to spoil the story - just click and read it. This video accompanied the article.

Praying for this ability

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect ...

-1 Peter 3:15

One lingering - or at least, I think it's lingering - outcome of my 1998 stroke is that I'm not quite as quick on my feet in speaking as before. So whenever I get a question about faith in person, it seems that I always stumble.

The other day, I found this verse and it makes sense, as the Bible tends to do: Prepare an answer. If someone asks why, give your prepared answer. Unless you're a highly educated theologian, don't even try to answer every detailed question. Think simple and straightforward. Or at least, that's my personal plan.

Any suggested answers for the why-do-you-believe question?



(Image from www.heartlight.org)

'You have been healed'

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

-1 Peter 2:24

Anyone perfect out there? With no defect, never ill, always right?

Follow him, and all your wounds, all your infirmities, will fall away. Follow him, and you will see.