Good Stewardship
It was early 2005 when I was told that I had to undergo a sinus surgery, in Dubai. Thankfully, at that point in my life, I had rarely used Google and so went into the surgery knowing very little of what it entailed – except for what the surgeon said. “Pain? Well… I wouldn’t really call it pain… I’d just use the word, ‘uncomfortable’!!” And looking back, all I can say is, he obviously needs a class on the definition of ‘pain’!!
When I came to after the surgery, all I remember is pain. The first evening and night passed in a haze of pain. And as it continued into the morning hours, I vaguely remember my husband telling me he was called into work for an urgent meeting and since it was too late to ask someone to sit with me, he’d come back as soon as possible. But the next time I was partly conscious, I remember seeing a dear friend and prayer partner, all dressed up in a very smart suit, sitting beside my bed, helping me take tiny sips of water, and reading aloud from a small Bible, as I drifted in and out of consciousness. Suddenly, I felt this throbbing pain somewhere along my spine and even before I could think to pray or make a sound, I felt my friend’s hand exactly over the pain spot – holding it down firmly and massaging my back… till I fell asleep. And this kept happening till the pain subsided.
A few weeks later, I thought to ask her how she came to be at the hospital, and how she knew about my back pain. And this was her story. Her husband was driving her to work that morning when she felt the Lord saying, “Take the day off and go to the hospital.” So, in obedience, they turned the car around, called her boss on the way, and headed to the hospital. (That explained the smart suit! 😊) But that was only part of her story. When I started moaning in pain and the nurse told her they couldn’t give me any more pain medicine, she remembered that after a surgery a few years prior, she had had a stabbing pain along her spine as she came out of anaesthesia, and it had helped when someone massaged her back. So, every time I cried in pain or moved restlessly, she felt prompted to do the same. Awesome God, right? As incredible as it sounds, the truth is we get to experience the vastness of God’s Grace, through our times of pain.
I was reminded of this long-forgotten incident during my quiet time, yesterday morning. My Bible reading was from 2 Corinthians chapter 1. And verses 3 & 4 say:
Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [Amp]
Whenever I’ve used the words “good stewardship” I’ve always used it in relation to material possessions, gifts and talents, or nature. But the Lord opened my eyes to a new truth today. He also calls us to be good stewards of the trials we go through. Yes, my friends. We are entrusted (yes, entrusted) with the trials and pains of this life too, so that, exactly as the Bible says, “we can comfort and encourage and be of help to those who are in any kind of trouble”.
When we go through storms, it helps to know God is entrusting us with it, doesn’t it? And yes, we get to experience the vastness of His Grace, because He will not only provide everything we need to get us through it, but He will use it to further His Kingdom. We just have to be faithful stewards, in tune with His voice.