On days when the weather permits, because our home is close to the Intertribal Life office, I choose to walk. For the past number of weeks, I have seen a father walking his two daughters to and from school, with his arm securely held in place by a sling.
I've never been close enough in proximity to talk to him about his arm, but today, as I was walking towards the crosswalk, he was walking towards me as he finished crossing with his girls. It was the perfect opportunity to mention to him that it seemed like he'd been in the sling "forever." He responded excitedly that he'd be out of it in two days, and then he'd start twenty-six weeks of twice-a-week physiotherapy!
He'd had surgery on his arm (he told me what it was, but it was a long, complicated name), and in order to repair a tear in his bicep, I understand they had to cut away a piece of tendon and then stretch it to reattach it. Currently, he can't straighten his arm or lift anything, including his girls, and he's bummed that he'll miss the entire season of baseball.
"Yes, that's true, but just think: One season of healing will result in you being able to play for many more seasons to come and lift your girls," I suggested.
After the words came out of my mouth, I was taken aback by how the words deeply penetrated my spirit and soul.
You see, I'm currently mentoring a brand-new follower of Jesus. This week, in our study, we've been doing some homework in which we're learning about sin and sins, seeking the Lord for direction and guidance in any unconfessed areas of sin, confessing sins in our lives, repenting and breaking some chains.
One season of healing will result in freedom.
Healing is hard work. It takes dedication and determination. It can also be uncomfortable, sometimes painful. In my own journey, intellectually, I know I want to heal from the hurts of my past, but as I walk through this journey, emotionally, if I'm being honest, sometimes I'd rather pretend the hurt isn't there, sweep it under the proverbial rug, and live my life ignoring the elephant in the room.
But here's the thing: The hurts of the past won't go away on their own. The dirt will remain under the rug unless it's cleaned up. The elephant won't move unless it's addressed (have you ever addressed an elephant?). I have only found freedom when I've named the hurt, acknowledged the pain, confessed the sin (the hurt that eventually turned into resentment in my heart), repented of it and asked the Lord to set me free.
One season of healing may be hard, uncomfortable and maybe even painful. But, it will result in freedom. And isn't freedom worth it, my friends?
After the comment was made to my sling wearing neighbour, he shared more about what his physiotherapy will look like and how he's excited to be finally free from the sling and eventually have his full range of motion restored. How exciting for us in our spiritual journeys, that once the slings of sin are removed, we can start some physiotherapy with the Lord on our souls, and have our spirits restored.
