2017 Influenza Virus = 3                Smallwood Family = 1

Three of us down. One has avoided the infirmary and hopefully he continues to dodge the bullet. And I know it’s not just affecting us. I’ve heard of many who are out of order with the same stuff. One school we know was missing over 200 kids today. And another school is cancelling classes to try and bring an end to the outbreak.

Because typing hurts my fingers, I’ll be brief. But it reminds of something Jesus said:

Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Mark 2:17

Jesus is often called the Great Physician because of this claim.  He used a common experience (doctors help the physically ill) to describe a spiritual reality (Jesus saves the spiritually sick).  It’s an analogy that hits close to home in a broken world – and when you have the flu.

So, let’s say I finally give in and go see a doctor. If I want to get well there are a few things that must happen:

1. I have to be honest.
When I make an appointment with my doctor I must be honest about my symptoms. I have to tell him my head feels like it’s about to explode. My throat feels like I swallowed a thousand razor blades. My chest feels like an elephant decided to camp out there. And that woodpeckers have taken up residence in every bone in my body. Sure, the doctor can perform lots of tests to determine the problem, but it certainly helps if I am willing to be honest.

Likewise, when we come to the Great Physician, we must be honest about our problem. We have to acknowledge the habit we can’t kick, the hang-up that nags us, and the hurt we can’t seem to shed. True, He already knows the condition and the cure. But there is hope found on the other side of honesty. Once I have acknowledged or confessed the problem, the Physician can go to work.

2. I have to follow the doctor’s orders.
The doctor will get to the cause of my symptoms and will order up the cure. Perhaps I’m prescribed some tasty medicine. Maybe the doctor tells me I need to give in, stop working and rest. Or conceivably I’m told I need to eat better and exercise more (Isn’t that what they always say?). Bottom line is I must follow whatever is prescribed to get well.

Likewise, once we’ve acknowledged our letdowns before the Great Physician, we must follow whatever is prescribed. The word we use is repentance which literally means we must go a different direction. We must give up the habit we are struggling with, the hang-up we don’t want to let go of or the hurt we are trying to harbor. Bottom line is we must follow the Great Physician’s orders.

I hope you don’t have the flu but I hope you realize you are sick. We all are! And that’s okay. Jesus didn’t come for those who think they are well but for those who admit they need the Great Physician.

Are you being honest? Are you following the Doctor’s orders?