Humility Found in a River...

If you have known for any length of time, you probably know of my bout with West Nile Virus a couple years ago. It's almost become a part of my name...Hi, my name is Brian, I had West Nile Virus, how are you? Okay, not quite like that, but you get the idea. Anyway, this is something I wrote during my recovery. I know it's not new, but I promise, new things are coming. Just now, however, my main focus is replacing the floors in our house. Anyways, to be perfectly honest, my experience with the deadly ailment was comparatively mild...my fevers "only" lasted sixteen days and zapped my strength for a few subsequent months. Some people I know were months in the hospital, others comatose for weeks. The hallucinations were a little interesting, but my wife remembers more of that than I. Regardless, the Lord used that experience to teach me something of His ways, and hopefully it will serve to encourage or challenge you as well.

Brian


If you're anything like me, you may think at times you are invincible. Please don't confuse that with invisible. If you think you're invisible, we really need to talk. There are times when I go through life thinking I can pretty much do anything I put my mind to. The Lord has blessed my life immensely and has worked in and through me in some pretty amazing ways. I look back at what I've accomplished and think, well done. And then I catch West Nile Virus, and it takes all my strength just to get out of bed and take a shower. I might even go outside for a bit to work in the garden. If I'm really feeling well I might even run some errands. Whatever it may be, I'm usually clutching my head in dizziness after about 20 or 30 minutes. Why do I say this? Well, it's really quite simple. Over the last seven days, it has been made inescapably clear that my life is not my own. What I accomplish in my time on this earth has nothing to do with my strength or, at present, lack thereof. It has nothing to do with my qualifications as a pastor, my heart for young people, or my relational tendencies. It has nothing to do with abilities, gifts, talents, or what have you. In fact, it has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with the Lord and His sovereign will for my life. Anything I have accomplished is because the Lord has allowed it, and now I am reminded oh so clearly that my every breath is ordained by God, Himself.

It's interesting to me that 80 percent of all people infected with West Nile never feel any symptoms. My immune system has always been strong, and getting sick is a rarity for me. With that in mind I am reminded all the more that God is in control, even when all is going well. "Even when all is going well?" you ask. "Don't you mean when things aren't going so well?" No...it's easy to remember you are not in control when life throws you a curve, as it has me. That's why I'm writing this in the first place...because I am reminded of my lack of control. But when is it easiest for us to think we can handle things? When everything is great. "Look at what I've done and what I did to accomplish it." Wrong. Look at what the LORD has accomplished in and through you...and praise Him for it!