I have been away from my new blog for a little while, as I have been recovering from some recent outpatient surgery. Nothing major. I have had some benign lipomas removed. Lipomas are little peanut-sized objects that grow in the muscle tissue right up under the skin. They generally don't cause a lot of problem until you accidentally bump one of them. Then you know they are there! They're also inherited. They run in my family; and several of us have had to have similar procedures. Not to be gross, but the whole process of removal, including the surgical excision of the individual lipomas as well as the itching stitches which inevitably follow, can be a little painful. Also, though small, each excision inevitably leaves a small scar. Because of these things, I put the process of removal off as long as I dared. Nonetheless, now that it is over, I am glad to have endured this little bit of discomfort in order to know that my body is now rid of them forever.
As I have reflected on all of this, I have been reminded of the effects of sin in most peoples' lives. Sin invades us. It grows on us. It weighs us down. It is an unwelcome part of our lives. Sin is also a family thing. We inherited it from Adam and Eve. Try as we may, we can't do a thing about it. Left to our own devices, we just have to accept it. God, however, patieintly waits for us to turn to Him for its removal. Like a skilled surgeon, the Great Physician knows just how to deal with our problem. Admittedly, the process may not be completely pain free. In fact, the process may not leave us unscarred. But it does leave us clean and sin free for the future. And that is a great feeling in the long run. If you have not been cleansed by the Great Physician, rest assured that He stands ready and able to help you at any time. All you must do is grow weary enough of the sin you are carrying around that you choose to seek Him out. I hope you have done this. If not, I hope you will soon. I assure you, you'll be glad you did.
As I have reflected on all of this, I have been reminded of the effects of sin in most peoples' lives. Sin invades us. It grows on us. It weighs us down. It is an unwelcome part of our lives. Sin is also a family thing. We inherited it from Adam and Eve. Try as we may, we can't do a thing about it. Left to our own devices, we just have to accept it. God, however, patieintly waits for us to turn to Him for its removal. Like a skilled surgeon, the Great Physician knows just how to deal with our problem. Admittedly, the process may not be completely pain free. In fact, the process may not leave us unscarred. But it does leave us clean and sin free for the future. And that is a great feeling in the long run. If you have not been cleansed by the Great Physician, rest assured that He stands ready and able to help you at any time. All you must do is grow weary enough of the sin you are carrying around that you choose to seek Him out. I hope you have done this. If not, I hope you will soon. I assure you, you'll be glad you did.