NSMinistries
February 28th 2006, 10:47 AM
By Gary Piper
God, Multiple Sclerosis, and You (http://www.ms-christian.com)
Scriptural Theme:
The hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Yahweh, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. He caused me to pass by them all around: and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and behold, they were very dry. He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live?”
I answered, “Lord Yahweh, you know.”
Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, you dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.”
So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.
Then said he to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off. Therefore prophesy, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. You shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people. I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and you shall know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it, says Yahweh.”
(Ezekiel 37:1 – 37:14 World English Bible)
To my good friend R. Adam Quigley a person with Multiple Sclerosis whose life has by, divine appointment powerfully and positively affected my life forever.
First things first.
You need to know right up front I do not have MS. I am in remission from Myasthenia Gravis which in most cases is not as severe as Multiple Sclerosis. I have had both hips replaced four times and have had extensive bone grafting done on both of them. So I do know a little about physical ailments. And I suspect you do as well.
Might I ask yours? I realize I can’t hear your remarks (but you could send us an email) but my main purpose in asking that is to bring yourself into what I am going to write about. Because this article goes beyond MS, MG, or artificial hips.
One more thing. Please note my use of the words “In” and “From” while it is always within Jesus’ power to heal us from those things that seek to destroy our health and well being there are times when he doesn’t for reasons we may never know. However just because we may never find an answer that does not prevent us from seeking one because somehow in our search we find the strength to endure all our woes until the day when they will end.
Scriptural Theme:
The hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Yahweh, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. He caused me to pass by them all around: and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and behold, they were very dry. He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live?”
I answered, “Lord Yahweh, you know.”
Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, you dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.”
So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.
Then said he to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off. Therefore prophesy, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. You shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people. I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and you shall know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it, says Yahweh.”
(Ezekiel 37:1 – 37:14 World English Bible)
Before going too much further I’d like to ask you a few questions.
How do you measure the quality of life?
How should we as a society measure the quality of life?
What should be our measuring stick for measuring the quality of life?
We may think these questions are unimportant but I can assure they are not we confront them every day and in spite of reminding ourselves we’re not to judge we do. In the 9th Chapter of John after encountering a man born blind the disciples asked Jesus who sinned the man who was blind or his parents. Jesus’ answer establishes a measuring stick for the quality of life, Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.” (John 9:3 World English Bible)
To reduce it to lowest terms God is the only one qualified to determine the quality of life. In many ways society marginalizes persons who appear less than perfect. And unfortunately the powerful visual images in the television media of physical and mental perfection reinforces it. However it is reassuring to know that more and more persons who are less than physically perfect are being given the chance to show how valuable they really are to society.
The advertising agencies are not the only ones guilty of marginalizing persons. Sometimes it happens innocently I remember many times where because of Myasthenia Gravis or artificial hips people trying to protect me have excluded me from doing things that would have been posed only slight problems.
In case you are wondering what this section is all about here it is in a nutshell:
GOD VALUES, LOVE, and has a PURPOSE FOR ALL QUALITIES OF LIFE!
Note: what follows is addressed specifically to those with Multiple Sclerosis although the principles reach far beyond any one aspect of life.
Ezekiel’s vision of the Valley of Dry Bones affords us a glimpse into the character of God and His attempt to empower those with Multiple Sclerosis to understand that as serious as their imperfection is it is actually a source of strength.
The hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Yahweh, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. He caused me to pass by them all around: and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and behold, they were very dry. He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live?”
Multiple Sclerosis a source of strength?
One of the most debilitating diseases of our times a source of strength?
Absolutely! “That the works of God might be revealed in him.” That is one of the most powerful sentences ever assembled from the alphabet. If you think MS gets it strength from the body, medicines, treatments, surgery, prosthetics, or the medical profession it might be best if you think again!
God is the source of all strength – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual! However, to the five senses that is not the case. Therefore God, through the process of revelation begins to mold in us faith to look beyond the five senses and begin to trust in Him.
After my diagnosis of MG one doctor told me that I was an expert on MG because I knew first hand what it would to do me. I understood him to mean that even though I hadn’t any medical training in the cause and treatment that was not the area of my expertise my expertise lie in how I would react to the disease and it’s treatment. You as a person with Multiple Sclerosis are an expert in MS. You know how you feel. You know how your body reacts to the many treatments designed to return you life to normal. You are reasonably sure how you will feel tomorrow. You know the roller coaster ride your emotions will take you on. So with that information firmly in focus God asks the simple question, “Can you find strength in your Multiple Sclerosis?”
That question is THE most important question you’ll ever answer. Your body will scream NO! Your mind will scream I WANT TO BELIEVE!
I answered, “Lord Yahweh, you know.”
At first you make think Ezekiel is passing the buck. “I want to say yes but I just can’t say so for sure. But if you say so I can,” is what he seems to be saying. But there’s another level being addressed at the same time. Not only does God know the answer but he also will define the perimeters. “God, only you know if I can find strength in my MS. Only you will determine what form the strength will come in.”
Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, you dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.”
Without giving Ezekiel an answer God puts him to the task. Basically God is illustrating to Ezekiel it is through His power the task will be accomplished and that He can be trusted. At the same time God firms up the working relationship he (Ezekiel) will need for the tasks that are yet to come.
Please notice the detail in which God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy. Life is process and does not happen in one moment. Strengthening the spirit and building a foundation of faith strong enough to withstand the physical and mental onslaughts of MS is also a process. While it could occur (and may occur) in one miraculous event the process becomes part of the strength itself. Even Jesus grew in stature and wisdom.
Armed with his prophetic relationship with God Ezekiel did and God had instructed him to do.
So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.
And all aspects of life came together yet they were devoid of life.
To the person with MS seeing all aspects of their life assembled in one picture will not in itself be strengthening. If fact it may do just the opposite. In my mind I can see Ezekiel after seeing the lifeless bodies standing around saying, “Okay, God, I did what you said but my faith must not be strong enough they have the appearance of being life yet they are still dead. What next?”
One of the “tools” God uses to ensure we remain humble is by revealing to us our limitations. The Apostle Paul reminds us in the 12th Chapter of Romans not to think more highly then we ought to think. God was asking Ezekiel to exercise an enormous amount of power and He wanted Ezekiel to know whose power it really was. If God is going to set about divinely strengthening a person with MS he will first remind the individual that the power to do so while inside them is given them by God.
In my own case at this point in time my MG is in remission yet I have great respect for the fact that it remains so because of the Holy Spirit not me. In fact on a couple of occasions following hip surgery it has come out of remission for brief periods of time. It is during those times when I realize who is the source of the power and who isn’t.
Next God did a very strange thing. He put His faith in Ezekiel! The Creator took chance on the created. The Creator gave the task of commanding His Own Unparalleled Power to a mere human!
Then said he to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”
And rising to the task Ezekiel did the impossible and commanded the Powers of Eternity!
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Here’s another way of looking at it:
Multiple Sclerosis + the human spirit = depression, discouragement, & defeat.
Multiple Sclerosis + the human spirit + the Holy Spirit = strength, peace, & servant hood.
How can that be? I’m afraid I have no answer for that other than to quote the prophet Isaiah:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," says Yahweh. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn't return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I sent it to do. (Isaiah 55:8 – 55:11 World English Bible)
Restating in another way: “You will never understand some of the things I do because the finite cannot understand the Infinite. But the words I speak are words that can accomplish what it is I speak them for. And when they are included in total sum of your life including your Multiple Sclerosis they will return to me fulfilled.”
God has never made a promise he did not keep! The biggest problem we humans have is we think God has wrist watch and keeps track the seconds and minutes of our lives. But the truth of matter is God doesn’t measure time. If He measures anything it is the height, depth, and width of our relationship with him.
Some will say you have been cursed. Some will say you have been blest. As important as how others see you, how you see yourself is by far more important. You are God’s greatest creation and He has a plan for your life which just happens to include Multiple Sclerosis. As the Psalmist wrote, “This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalms 118:24 World English Bible)
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off. Therefore prophesy, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. You shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people. I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and you shall know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it, says Yahweh.”
Having said all what we’ve said there will still be times when dark clouds will cast shadows over your life. But just as Ezekiel’s vision begins to fade God gives him one more message for the people, “I WILL put my Spirit in you, and you SHALL live… I, Yahweh, HAVE spoken it and PERFORMED it.” Even in your darkest hour you can be assured that the Holy Spirit has been placed in your life filling every cell in your body for the express purpose of lighting your life.
Final thoughts:
Weaved throughout Ezekiel’s vision is a sense of unity, everything coming together at its appointed time forming a unified body. People with Multiple Sclerosis do not live in a world by themselves. My friend Adam as I said earlier has a wife and a young daughter, church family, friends, co-workers. There are times when Multiple Sclerosis affects them just as much or more than it does Adam.
One of the most painful experiences we humans must deal with is helplessness. As we helplessly watch our loved ones struggling we often find ourselves questioning God as to why He allows the suffering to continue. Some of us begin thinking God to be compassionless and cold hearted eventually going so far as to blame Him. Some of us blame ourselves thinking our faith is weak.
I wish I had some concrete answers for you. But I don’t. As Isaiah said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," says Yahweh. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8 – 55:9 World English Bible)
Reflecting back on my own experience and my families experience throughout my MG and hip replacements is that it brought us much closer together. Had we not pulled together to support each other things would have turned out different than they have.
Multiple Sclerosis is not an ending but the beginning of a powerful and wonderful journey that will take you from “Death Valley” to “Zion, the Mountain of God” I know my family and I are still on our journey.
To God be the Glory!
God, Multiple Sclerosis, and You (http://www.ms-christian.com)
Scriptural Theme:
The hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Yahweh, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. He caused me to pass by them all around: and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and behold, they were very dry. He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live?”
I answered, “Lord Yahweh, you know.”
Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, you dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.”
So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.
Then said he to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off. Therefore prophesy, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. You shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people. I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and you shall know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it, says Yahweh.”
(Ezekiel 37:1 – 37:14 World English Bible)
To my good friend R. Adam Quigley a person with Multiple Sclerosis whose life has by, divine appointment powerfully and positively affected my life forever.
First things first.
You need to know right up front I do not have MS. I am in remission from Myasthenia Gravis which in most cases is not as severe as Multiple Sclerosis. I have had both hips replaced four times and have had extensive bone grafting done on both of them. So I do know a little about physical ailments. And I suspect you do as well.
Might I ask yours? I realize I can’t hear your remarks (but you could send us an email) but my main purpose in asking that is to bring yourself into what I am going to write about. Because this article goes beyond MS, MG, or artificial hips.
One more thing. Please note my use of the words “In” and “From” while it is always within Jesus’ power to heal us from those things that seek to destroy our health and well being there are times when he doesn’t for reasons we may never know. However just because we may never find an answer that does not prevent us from seeking one because somehow in our search we find the strength to endure all our woes until the day when they will end.
Scriptural Theme:
The hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Yahweh, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. He caused me to pass by them all around: and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and behold, they were very dry. He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live?”
I answered, “Lord Yahweh, you know.”
Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, you dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.”
So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.
Then said he to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off. Therefore prophesy, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. You shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people. I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and you shall know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it, says Yahweh.”
(Ezekiel 37:1 – 37:14 World English Bible)
Before going too much further I’d like to ask you a few questions.
How do you measure the quality of life?
How should we as a society measure the quality of life?
What should be our measuring stick for measuring the quality of life?
We may think these questions are unimportant but I can assure they are not we confront them every day and in spite of reminding ourselves we’re not to judge we do. In the 9th Chapter of John after encountering a man born blind the disciples asked Jesus who sinned the man who was blind or his parents. Jesus’ answer establishes a measuring stick for the quality of life, Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.” (John 9:3 World English Bible)
To reduce it to lowest terms God is the only one qualified to determine the quality of life. In many ways society marginalizes persons who appear less than perfect. And unfortunately the powerful visual images in the television media of physical and mental perfection reinforces it. However it is reassuring to know that more and more persons who are less than physically perfect are being given the chance to show how valuable they really are to society.
The advertising agencies are not the only ones guilty of marginalizing persons. Sometimes it happens innocently I remember many times where because of Myasthenia Gravis or artificial hips people trying to protect me have excluded me from doing things that would have been posed only slight problems.
In case you are wondering what this section is all about here it is in a nutshell:
GOD VALUES, LOVE, and has a PURPOSE FOR ALL QUALITIES OF LIFE!
Note: what follows is addressed specifically to those with Multiple Sclerosis although the principles reach far beyond any one aspect of life.
Ezekiel’s vision of the Valley of Dry Bones affords us a glimpse into the character of God and His attempt to empower those with Multiple Sclerosis to understand that as serious as their imperfection is it is actually a source of strength.
The hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Yahweh, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. He caused me to pass by them all around: and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and behold, they were very dry. He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live?”
Multiple Sclerosis a source of strength?
One of the most debilitating diseases of our times a source of strength?
Absolutely! “That the works of God might be revealed in him.” That is one of the most powerful sentences ever assembled from the alphabet. If you think MS gets it strength from the body, medicines, treatments, surgery, prosthetics, or the medical profession it might be best if you think again!
God is the source of all strength – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual! However, to the five senses that is not the case. Therefore God, through the process of revelation begins to mold in us faith to look beyond the five senses and begin to trust in Him.
After my diagnosis of MG one doctor told me that I was an expert on MG because I knew first hand what it would to do me. I understood him to mean that even though I hadn’t any medical training in the cause and treatment that was not the area of my expertise my expertise lie in how I would react to the disease and it’s treatment. You as a person with Multiple Sclerosis are an expert in MS. You know how you feel. You know how your body reacts to the many treatments designed to return you life to normal. You are reasonably sure how you will feel tomorrow. You know the roller coaster ride your emotions will take you on. So with that information firmly in focus God asks the simple question, “Can you find strength in your Multiple Sclerosis?”
That question is THE most important question you’ll ever answer. Your body will scream NO! Your mind will scream I WANT TO BELIEVE!
I answered, “Lord Yahweh, you know.”
At first you make think Ezekiel is passing the buck. “I want to say yes but I just can’t say so for sure. But if you say so I can,” is what he seems to be saying. But there’s another level being addressed at the same time. Not only does God know the answer but he also will define the perimeters. “God, only you know if I can find strength in my MS. Only you will determine what form the strength will come in.”
Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, you dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.”
Without giving Ezekiel an answer God puts him to the task. Basically God is illustrating to Ezekiel it is through His power the task will be accomplished and that He can be trusted. At the same time God firms up the working relationship he (Ezekiel) will need for the tasks that are yet to come.
Please notice the detail in which God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy. Life is process and does not happen in one moment. Strengthening the spirit and building a foundation of faith strong enough to withstand the physical and mental onslaughts of MS is also a process. While it could occur (and may occur) in one miraculous event the process becomes part of the strength itself. Even Jesus grew in stature and wisdom.
Armed with his prophetic relationship with God Ezekiel did and God had instructed him to do.
So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.
And all aspects of life came together yet they were devoid of life.
To the person with MS seeing all aspects of their life assembled in one picture will not in itself be strengthening. If fact it may do just the opposite. In my mind I can see Ezekiel after seeing the lifeless bodies standing around saying, “Okay, God, I did what you said but my faith must not be strong enough they have the appearance of being life yet they are still dead. What next?”
One of the “tools” God uses to ensure we remain humble is by revealing to us our limitations. The Apostle Paul reminds us in the 12th Chapter of Romans not to think more highly then we ought to think. God was asking Ezekiel to exercise an enormous amount of power and He wanted Ezekiel to know whose power it really was. If God is going to set about divinely strengthening a person with MS he will first remind the individual that the power to do so while inside them is given them by God.
In my own case at this point in time my MG is in remission yet I have great respect for the fact that it remains so because of the Holy Spirit not me. In fact on a couple of occasions following hip surgery it has come out of remission for brief periods of time. It is during those times when I realize who is the source of the power and who isn’t.
Next God did a very strange thing. He put His faith in Ezekiel! The Creator took chance on the created. The Creator gave the task of commanding His Own Unparalleled Power to a mere human!
Then said he to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”
And rising to the task Ezekiel did the impossible and commanded the Powers of Eternity!
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Here’s another way of looking at it:
Multiple Sclerosis + the human spirit = depression, discouragement, & defeat.
Multiple Sclerosis + the human spirit + the Holy Spirit = strength, peace, & servant hood.
How can that be? I’m afraid I have no answer for that other than to quote the prophet Isaiah:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," says Yahweh. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn't return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I sent it to do. (Isaiah 55:8 – 55:11 World English Bible)
Restating in another way: “You will never understand some of the things I do because the finite cannot understand the Infinite. But the words I speak are words that can accomplish what it is I speak them for. And when they are included in total sum of your life including your Multiple Sclerosis they will return to me fulfilled.”
God has never made a promise he did not keep! The biggest problem we humans have is we think God has wrist watch and keeps track the seconds and minutes of our lives. But the truth of matter is God doesn’t measure time. If He measures anything it is the height, depth, and width of our relationship with him.
Some will say you have been cursed. Some will say you have been blest. As important as how others see you, how you see yourself is by far more important. You are God’s greatest creation and He has a plan for your life which just happens to include Multiple Sclerosis. As the Psalmist wrote, “This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalms 118:24 World English Bible)
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off. Therefore prophesy, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. You shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people. I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and you shall know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it, says Yahweh.”
Having said all what we’ve said there will still be times when dark clouds will cast shadows over your life. But just as Ezekiel’s vision begins to fade God gives him one more message for the people, “I WILL put my Spirit in you, and you SHALL live… I, Yahweh, HAVE spoken it and PERFORMED it.” Even in your darkest hour you can be assured that the Holy Spirit has been placed in your life filling every cell in your body for the express purpose of lighting your life.
Final thoughts:
Weaved throughout Ezekiel’s vision is a sense of unity, everything coming together at its appointed time forming a unified body. People with Multiple Sclerosis do not live in a world by themselves. My friend Adam as I said earlier has a wife and a young daughter, church family, friends, co-workers. There are times when Multiple Sclerosis affects them just as much or more than it does Adam.
One of the most painful experiences we humans must deal with is helplessness. As we helplessly watch our loved ones struggling we often find ourselves questioning God as to why He allows the suffering to continue. Some of us begin thinking God to be compassionless and cold hearted eventually going so far as to blame Him. Some of us blame ourselves thinking our faith is weak.
I wish I had some concrete answers for you. But I don’t. As Isaiah said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," says Yahweh. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8 – 55:9 World English Bible)
Reflecting back on my own experience and my families experience throughout my MG and hip replacements is that it brought us much closer together. Had we not pulled together to support each other things would have turned out different than they have.
Multiple Sclerosis is not an ending but the beginning of a powerful and wonderful journey that will take you from “Death Valley” to “Zion, the Mountain of God” I know my family and I are still on our journey.
To God be the Glory!