The past couple of months I have been feeling rather old. A few weeks ago while lifting something (an air conditioner) that was too big for me to lift by myself I hurt my shoulder. I thought I had torn my rotator cuff but it must have just been a sprain because after a couple of weeks the pain went away. But doing those couple of weeks I couldn’t use my arm for anything. I couldn’t even sleep on that side. A week after my shoulder was feeling back to normal I decided to go for a run. Not to far maybe about 5k or so. The next day the arch in my foot was killing me. I have been hobbling around for five days now. I keep telling myself, “If it doesn’t feel better tomorrow I will go to a doctor.”

Anyhow, all this reminded me of my blog; which I haven’t posted something on every day like I thought I would. Too Busy! But the gist of it was based on the verse that says, “In all circumstances give thanks.” Well, here it is. I was reading the Bible today and read these words in Hebrews 12:2-3 which say, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Now this puts things into perspective for me because when I consider Jesus, beaten and bruised, barely living, carrying that cross down the street, I am reminded of his love for me. For the joy set before Him He endured great pain and suffering. What was this Joy? Me and every other person who would see Him and His love for us and surrender our lives to Him. What is my pain but a temporary suffering of physical affliction. It reminds me that my destiny isn’t the grave but a new life. So with each throbbing step I am reminded that Jesus also took pain filled steps. He didn’t complain. He didn’t have a pity party and start feeling down about His life. He endured. His endurance has changed my life forever. I am thankful I am able to consider His life and the future that is waiting for me. And now with each pain filled step I will give thanks.