LIVING WITH A CANE

“In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had
 never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at
 him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your  feet!"
 At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.”  Acts 14:8-10

People often think I’m crazy when they discover that I cut, carry, split and stack my own firewood for winter. At times, especially on the morning after, I think they may be right. However, there is something wildly attractive to me about doing things the way my father used to do. When I was growing up, my father and I would go to the mountains every year to cut wood. As he skillfully ran the chain saw, it was my job to carry each log up the hill to the truck. When he used wedges and a sledge hammer to split the logs, it was my duty to stack each piece on the racks. So every time I cut, carry, split and stack firewood I remember those special times we shared together. As time goes by, I might end up “living with a cane” in my hand if I am not careful because my back is not as strong as it used to be. In life there are a lot of people who “live with canes”. It may not be a “walking cane”, but it’s a crutch just the same. They have become victims of lifestyles that cripple their marriage and family. Take a moment to consider if you are “living with a cane” in your life.
 
Crippling addictions...
 
Drugs, alcohol, pornography and gambling are not the only addictions in life. There are countless “drugs” that people will risk everything for in search of the next high. Anything that takes our focus off of God can become an addiction. Work, fame, and power are addicting. Vanity, wealth and even church can be our “drug” of choice as well. The question to ask ourselves is not specifically “what” we are addicted to, but “why” we are lured off track so easily by our addictions. Because I believe we already know “what” we have entangled our life with, but we pay little or no attention to understanding “why” we allow it to happen. What’s your addiction?
 
Agonizing pain…
 
Our canes may help us keep on walking so we appear to be functioning, but they cannot eliminate the pain of our addictions. Every addiction, no matter how enticing has a “pain” quotient. The pain may take years to develop into a life altering force, but it is very real and powerful just the same. Pain can cripple anything positive that is going on in our lives. It changes our focus from what’s “important” to what’s “hurting”. God never called us to a “pain free” life, but He doesn’t want us to create our “own pain” either. The only cure for the pain of “our addictions” is the touch of God’s hand on our life. But God won’t administer the healing power of His touch until we give Him permission. So consider another question; are you ready to be healed?
 
Narrowing options…
 
If I damage my back from cutting wood and I am forced to use a “cane” to move from place to place my options in life become very narrow. I can’t go everywhere that I want to go. The “cane” and the “pain” will limit my options. Regardless of how much I desire to do something, it will be physically impossible for me to experience some things in life. Can you see how the same is true in our lives when we become victims to our own addictions? Our options to save our marriages may be nonexistent, our options to restore relationships may be lost and our options to try again may be “done gone”. It’s so important to live a healthy life both physically and spiritually. Our physical limitations are not always within our control but our spiritual weaknesses can be changed in a moment. With a bended knee and a contrite heart we have access to healing that will expand our options beyond what we can ever imagine. What “options” are off the table in your life right now because of your “cane”?
 
Endless excuses…
 
Before you begin to rationalize your situation, stop and think of what you are really saying when you give an excuse for “living with a cane”. Our excuses expose to the world how small our faith is in God. Our excuses say that God is too weak to heal us or to cure our addictions. We are saying that our “cane” is more important to us than a relationship with God. Now I know that “addictions” are tough because all of us have them. Yes, you heard me right. We are all “addicted” to something; it’s called sin. We all face a daily struggle to say “no” to sin in our life. We have to lay down our excuses just like a cane and walk away. What “excuse” is holding your back from throwing away your “cane”?
 
After my cancer surgery, I had to use a cane until I could get the strength back in my legs. It still sits in the corner of my bedroom as a reminder of how far I have come. This week as you “check your pulse” I would like for you to consider how many “canes” are sitting in the corner of your bedroom. You see each “cane” represents something that God has brought you through. Count the number of “canes” and then begin to visualize those that you are still using. Now ask yourself if you are ready to quit “living with a cane”? God will help you to “cut, carry, split and stack” them on a rack, just like my dad and I used to do, so you can warm your soul in the winter of your life?