Choices

A few days ago, while sitting in my study getting ready to do a funeral, I reached across a table for a pair of scissors and my back “went out.”  Maybe you have experienced that sudden painful sensation that sends you to your knees.  This one was moderately painful as compared to other instances I’ve experienced.  After a few tears and regaining my composure, I made it through the day and on to Sunday worship.

By the end of the day Sunday, the pain was pretty intense.  I couldn’t “straighten up” and what started as occasional pain had become regular and pretty intense.  It was time for a visit to my chiropractor. (Dr. Alan Minks is amazing)

Did you know that there are billions of nerves in the human body?  Extending down from the brain, 31 pairs of nerves emanate from the spine.  The five pairs at the bottom are called the sacral nerves. The sacrum is a triangular bone at the bottom of the spine that rests in the pelvis at what is called the sacroiliac joint.  When that thing isn’t working right. . .the pain, the pain.

With the exception of the sciatic nerve, the others are less than a quarter of an inch in diameter and are made up of millions of tiny fibers.  The body is a marvelous creation from the hand of God, every detail planned for our benefit to get us through life day after day.

Since late last summer, my wife and others have been telling me I need to slow down.  For those who know me best, that ain’t easy.  I have been accused of being anal and obsessive, but it just isn’t true.  I just know how I want things done, that’s all.  Seriously, I know I’m OCD. And to think that anyone would accuse me of being overwrought or having too many irons in the fire.

And yet, here I am, flat of my back, barely able to stand and walk with a number of days to consider my plight. Choices, choices, choices.  Life is but a string of choices, at least that is what some have said and I’m not sure I disagree.

More than 40 years ago I chose to get married—and stay that way.  Over 35 years ago, I chose to become a father.  A little more than 30 years ago, I chose Christ—only because He first chose me.  I’ve made some good choices and some bad ones.  Most of the bad ones cost me money and brain cells; the good ones brought me closer to God.

And still, choices remain.  What am I going to do while I’m debilitated?  Lay around and whine and complain? (I might whine a little) I choose to think about recovery!  I’m ready to get up and get back to work just as soon as my body lets me.  What am I going to do when I get back on my feet?  Do too much for too long at a time?  Probably, but I hope I will choose to rest more and occasionally take a little time off.

At TCALF (The Church At Lake Forest), I just started a months-long series called ALL IN.  I hope to help those who hear me from week to week learn how to be ALL IN for God.  For me, ALL IN means knowing how to invest my life in my call to serve God as I serve others AND how to do it without killing myself in the process.

Choices. . .life is full of them.  What do you choose?