For the past several months, I've been dealing with some relatively serious health issues. You can read more about it here if you'd like more details, but in a nutshell, I've been suffering from acute allergic reactions since November. The cause is still unknown.
Since we don't know exactly what's triggering these episodes, my doctor has put me on a pretty strong cocktail of antihistamines in hopes that they'll help keep me safe while he tries to come up with a diagnosis and a more permanent solution.
Today, I realized that my heart is mirroring my body. There's something wrong there. Something I can't diagnose right now.
After my first major allergic reaction, I saw an allergist who sent me home with no more than an epi-pen in hopes that it was "just a fluke." Needless to say, I sought out a second opinion because I knew that I needed someone who would help keep me safe while we searched for answers.
In the same way, I want to keep my heart safe as I sort out whatever is going on in there, and I think a hefty dose of God's life-preserving Word is just what the Great Physician ordered.
God's words of eternal life are like the pills I take each morning and evening to ward off sickness. If I am in God's word, then I am fully armed and protected to face each new day with the belt of truth and the sword of the Spirit.
"If your law had not been my delight," the psalmist writes, "I would have perished in my affliction." He continues, "I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life." (Psalm 119:92-93 ESV)
God uses his word to give us life and to sustain it. In times of uncertainty, his word is reliable and true. We can count on him and his word to keep us safe.
Yes, I want a diagnosis, and I'm sure God will be faithful to search me and test my heart. For now, though, I put on my armor and pray, "I have suffered much; give me life, O LORD, according to your word." (Psalm 119:107 ESV)
Some families spend their summer vacations traveling to national parks. Mine visited national ballparks.
Many of my best childhood memories took place at these parks—singing the seventh inning stretch with Harry Caray at Wrigley Field, cheering for the sausages at Miller Park, watching the Red Sox score twenty-two runs at Fenway, and celebrating Cal Ripken Jr’s birthday while chewing on Double Bubble at Camden Yards.
There’s something about a major league baseball game that makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself. The ballpark is a magical place where old and young, rich and poor, fathers and daughters all gather for one common purpose: to enjoy America’s favorite pastime together.
At each baseball game, you form a sort of family with the other 20,000 fans in the stands. When the lights go out and your new family members return to their respective lives, your heart aches just a little. Even grown men have been known to shed a tear or two at the end of the season. But there’s always the promise of next year (just ask our beloved Chicago Cubs).
Why do we love baseball so much?
It could be because our hearts are made for it…or at least something like it.
Something that brings together people of all colors and cultures and puts them on a level playing field…
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28 ESV).
Something that gives us reason to stand up and cheer…
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV).
Something that makes us want to share hot dogs and peanuts and Cracker Jack with the guy sitting next to us in the stands…
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:46-27 ESV).
And something that gives us great hope…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5).
The same hearts that soar after the game-winning run are the hearts that were made to praise and glorify God forever.
And because of the good news of Jesus Christ...they can.
