Romans 13:8-10
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not covet,’ and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Perhaps you have heard the story of two men who shared the same hospital room. One of them was paralyzed and had been moved into a room occupied by a cheerful man whose bed was next to the window. Throughout the day he would carry on a colorful description of what he saw outside their window.
At first it blessed the man in traction who could only imagine the sight the man by the window was enjoying: fluffy clouds, children playing, lovers holding hands and birds in the trees. However he soon resented that he was not able to see what the other man saw. He became sullen and mean-spirited. Inwardly he hoped the man would die so he could be placed near the window.
Unfortunately that is what happened. The man by the window suffered a heart attack and they rushed him to the emergency room. A few hours later the nurse told the paralyzed man that his roommate had died. He asked her if she would mind moving his bed next to the window and prop him up so he could be the one who enjoyed all of the wonderful sights.
The nurse looked perplexed, but moved his bed near the window, raised him up and opened the blinds. There in front of him was a brick wall and nothing more. His roommate had created beautiful, but imaginary scenes to entertain him.
For the past few days my heart has been heavy with the burden of broken vows. We observe broken vows in marriages, on the job, between friends but especially in our commitment to the Lord.
Over the years I have served as counselor and friend to countless individuals who have suffered the fractured relationships. It is almost as if they stagger in the door and pour out their heartbreak begging me to help them.
As I listen to these hurting people describe their problems to me, it is evident that their life, as well as others, suffered because someone desired something they did not possess. “If I only had – – – – -I would be content. I will address this subject in more detail in the next few days.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil