By Doug Creamer
Aches & Pains
A couple of weeks ago we had a strong line of thunderstorms pass through our area. Initially, I thought we got lucky because I didn’t notice any damage. Then I saw something that didn’t look right at the edge of the woods. When I went over for a closer look I saw that a pine tree had fallen. Thankfully, it missed the house, but a branch had hit my storage building.
The branch was leaning on the edge of the building. When I lifted the branch away from the building I noticed that the pine was pressing the branch down. I wanted to move it away from the building but everything I tried only made the pressure worse. After several attempts at moving it in different directions I ended up resting it against the side of the building.
I decided I needed to get my chainsaw and cut off the offending branch. When I made the final cut the branch flew into the air a short distance as the pressure released. I was glad to have it done. I have to clean up the rest of the tree later. I am not in a hurry as it is out of my way.
The next day my back was bothering me. It bothered me for several days. It took me a little while to realize what had caused my pain. I was upset with myself because I should have just cut that limb without trying to lift it off the building. It’s been over a week and my back is still bothering me, although it is feeling a little better.
I used to tell my great aunt that I couldn’t wait until retirement (I was probably about 12 years old at the time) and she used to tell me, “Old age doesn’t come alone.” I didn’t understand. Old age comes with aches and pains and the loss of loved ones. This is NOT an admission that I am getting old! But, I am struggling with pain.
I have noticed it takes longer to recover from things. About a month ago, I woke up with a stiff neck and it took a couple of days to feel better versus a couple of hours. I mentioned my neck and back pain to my sister and she said, “welcome to old age!” I know my great aunt was right, but I don’t want to admit that I am getting older.
Aches and pains are going to come and go and I guess I will experience more of them as time goes by. As I have considered my aches and pains, I have been thinking about Jesus and all that He went through during the week after Palm Sunday, which we will celebrate this week. Palm Sunday is a great celebration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. While that was a great and exciting day, it was only a few days later that Jesus was condemned to die on the cross.
Have you ever tried to imagine the aches and pains Jesus had in the last day of His life? He was given 39 pain-filled lashings with whips. That beating was the price He paid for our healing. They gave Him a crown of thorns. Ultimately, they crucified Him. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain He felt as they drove those spikes through His hands and feet. While all that physical pain must have been unbearable, I believe the worst pain was being separated from the Father so God could pour out His wrath, the wrath we deserved, on Jesus.
While that is very difficult to write and read…that is the high price Jesus paid so we could be saved from our sins and receive the reward of heaven. Jesus endured the cross because He knew that was the only way to bring salvation to mankind. The hope of spending an eternity with God is available to all mankind as a free gift. All we have to do is receive it.
I want to encourage you to think about what a high price Jesus paid for your salvation and allow that to lead you to a place of thanksgiving before Him. Jesus went to hell so you wouldn’t have to go there. He paid your price in full. We know that Easter is the celebration of His resurrection from the dead. Someday, Jesus will come back for all who call upon His name. I hope you have received this gift and will be at the great reunion in heaven. Jesus endured many aches and pains so we could be with our Heavenly Father for all eternity. Thank you Jesus!
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
