Here We Go Again

Good morning everyone,

Well, here we are back from break; kinda. You are there and I am here, at home, with another of my children who is sick. Strange, it is always our hope that we would come leaping back to school after an extended break with vigor and determination to press on to the end. Instead, I look around and it seems like a war zone, with casualties spread as far as the eye can see. Both students and staff seem to have been hit hard by the latest illness to blanket the city.

So, if we are truly the children of God fulfilling our purpose in serving him why are we so open to illness? There are several reasons for this. The first is that we serve our Lord in a fallen creation where illness is only one result of this fallen state. In the beginning there were no colds, no influenza, no cancer, no aids, nothing at all. But as sin entered into God's perfect creation, introduced by the decision of Adam, so disease and illness followed.

The second reason is because we live our lives as if we are invincible. There are certain things we can do to avoid illness and to avoid spreading it if we are sick. Washing our hands throughout the day is a simple and practical method. Eating our proper meals, getting our proper rest helps our bodies to fight off illness, as does getting proper exercise or living an active life. A couple of ways to prevent the spreading of our illness is to stay home during the contagious period and to know how to cough properly in public.

The third reason we get sick is due to our spiritual condition. Just as our bodies need to be strong to fight off disease so does our spirit. If we neglect our spiritual condition then we will not have the faith to overcome the simplest things that we face. This is not to say that we will never experience illness. We know that the Apostle Paul was afflicted with something that God permitted to exist. His response to Paul's prayers was "My grace is sufficient". There are times that God has a greater purpose for the things we face. However, do not miss the fact that Paul prayed and received an answer about his affliction. Sometimes we do not even bother to pray.

As you come in to school today and you see the number of people missing understand you also have a responsibility to fight for them. Pray for their healing. Regard the staff who look like the walking wounded and pray for supernatural strength for them. Help them; fight for them; encourage them. It is what we do as followers of Jesus Christ.

I pray you have come back healthy and full of energy. Be encouraged and encourage others today. He is our God! We are his people! And he is here with us!