The Medication

Thursday, May 29, 2014
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms"1 (Lyrics)

Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (NIV)

Lucy, our old goat, and Mama, our old horse, have one thing in common: they suffer from arthritis. What they don't have in common is their attitude about their medication.

Lucy accepts the apples dipped in the powdered medication with relish, munching and crunching her way through them. Mama, however, turns her nose up at any and all such offerings, refusing to ingest that which would bring her the reward of pain relief.

The difference between these two creatures has often made me wonder if I might at times be doing the same thing as Mama, in regard to a certain aspect of my Christian walk. Let me explain.

People are marvellous. They are made in the image of God. And yet, is it just me, or have you, too, noticed what a total pain they can be from time to time. Their actions can be most painfully annoying, inconsiderate, rude, frustrating, obnoxious, and counterproductive.

And yet what does God say? Love your neighbour as yourself, and do not become weary in doing good. Mmmm … yeah, right … that's a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. That's what I sometimes think about some of my so-called neighbours and these commands. And yet, the psalmist has written:

Psalm 119:103 – How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (NIV)

He had obviously lived long enough and had been obedient enough to know that all of God's commands, all of His words, are good and right and lovely and reap a wonderful harvest if we will only choose to ingest and employ them as we should.

So, the next time I find my neighbours' actions painfully annoying, frustrating, rude, obnoxious, inconsiderate, and counterproductive, I am going to choose rightly. Like Lucy, the goat, I am going to take the pain relief medication God is offering me. I am going to choose to love my neighbour as myself and not grow weary of doing good, believing that at the proper time, I shall indeed reap a harvest of just reward. How about you?

Prayer: Father God, help us this day to ingest and employ with relish the sweetness of Your words which leads to the health of both our own and our neighbours' well-being. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Okay Lynne. I swallowed the bitter pill.


    Oh boy, do I relate!
    Thanks. Lynne.


    Lynne,
    Your meditations are a breath of fresh air to my soul. Thank you!


    Thank you Lynne for this great analogy and life lesson. Time for us all to take some of this medicine. Blessings.


    Lynne: It takes only a few words to identify your handiwork.
    Today, before I read your devotional, I prayed for forgiveness. Keep it up, you get me every time.


    Just have to respond to this homily – had a good chuckle over the goat responses then felt sorry for the horse. You set the example we all should strive for THANK YOU A BUNCH. GOD BLESS.


    A great devotional for all of us.
    Keep writing.
    Blessings.


    A great illustration Lynne! Yes, God’s pain medication can work wonders in our relationships with others.
    Blessings.


    Thank you Lynne. I always enjoy your writings and this one felt like the Lord was just tapping me on the shoulder and saying – take note!!
    Thank you and God bless you,
    (BC)


    Dear Lynne:
    Thank you for your writings. This one made me laugh out loud!
    Have you tried coffee with sugar and the meds for Mama the horse? When I was riding, the horses loved to drink my coffee. They would nudge me until I gave it to them.


    Thank you Lynne Phipps for the prolific and interesting devotionals. Of all the dailys I like yours the best. I can usually tell when the daily devotional will have your name at the bottom because you relate to animals and such and write in an easy to understand manner. I don’t have to read them three times to try and digest it and the message is always good. If I ever get up your way I would love to stop and meet you. Thank you once again. You’re much appreciated.
    (B.C.)


    Dear Lynne,
    Thank you for your devotional today. I, too, also have one of those neighbours which takes EGR – Extra Grace Required – (as coined by Beth Moore I believe).
    Sometimes when my neighbour makes noise vacuuming and slams doors my first reaction is to over-react but if I step back and just go over the situation in light of God’s Word, then the right decision on how to handle the situation is attained. It takes a lot of practice!
    My parents both grew up on farms and they would tell me about farm life. It sounded quite interesting living on a farm. I visited my Uncle/Aunt for a few days on their farm and it was quite an experience!
    They had a few cows on the farm and it was interesting to see them feed out in the distance free range style. It was like watching an old western but actually being there! I think every city slicker should work on a farm for a week or two to get perspective on how life is like in the west and what REAL work is all about.
    May you both have a great upcoming weekend and I hope Mama the horse will take the medication that will help her arthritic pain.


    Thank you Lynne. Blessings.


    I knew this devotional was yours while reading. You are amazing….you come up with the neatest analogies.
    Christ’s words are so encouraging. You have the right attitude. Bless you.
    Enjoy springtime. You are so kind to your animals.

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