I am employed at a local bank and have worked there for over 22 years. One of my jobs is to process mail and monthly bank statements. The statements are printed in cycles, so I have that duty about 15 days every month. Some cycles are large and can take most of the day, while other cycles are small and relatively easy. The process begins with the batch being sent to the statement printers during the night and there is usually a stack waiting when I get to work. The next step is to remove the stack of pages off of the printer and put them into a “jogger” that vibrates and moves the pages into alignment with each other. Next, I load the folder, which sorts, folds and stuffs the pages into envelopes. The last step involves unloading the sealed envelopes from the exit tray and placing them into a tub for the post office. Seems simple enough, right?

Well, let’s go back to the jogger. What do you think the paper would say, if it was alive and animated? I wonder how the jogger would feel. It’s loud, jolting, and likely very uncomfortable. The thought occurred to me how this is similar to what it feels like when God is moving us through our own type of jogger, adjusting our habits and lifestyle, to get us into alignment with His word and especially with His will. We all have been through the jogger at some time or another. It is uncomfortable. It is often painful. But in the end, when we are brought into true alignment, we will see how much the process was needed to bring God’s purpose into fruition.

I have struggled with my weight all of my adult life. I have tried practically every diet plan there is and rarely found success. During the past year, as I have gotten older and I am now in my mid 50’s, I have been impacted more because of the physical pain that I am experiencing. A few months ago I began having debilitating back and leg pain. I couldn’t even put my shoes on without wincing from the pain. Don’t even ask me about bending over! I literally dropped something one morning on my kitchen floor and left it there, because it was too painful to bend over and retrieve it. Finally, I went to the doctor and was prescribed physical therapy. I also decided that I had to get control over how and what I was eating!

Now, I am not here to preach a weight loss product or program, but I did find it interesting how much more motivated I was this time, due to the daily pain I was encountering. I have a good 20-25+ years left to live in this body, and I am fiercely independent. I believe God knew that my stubborn nature would not submit to these healthy habits without some pain to motivate me. In His true wisdom and love, He allowed my choices to become painfully evident, thus motivating me to make healthier choices.

Isn’t it true that we often feel like we’ve got this! We don’t need anyone. We are independent, strong, self-reliant. I am definitely from the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” generation. But with all this self-confidence, we often forget how truly broken and empty we are. Without God, His Spirit indwelling in us, we are nothing! We are but dust that will be blown away with the sands of time. The good Lord knows that sometimes, we need the jogger of life to shake things up, get our attention, so that we can fall into alignment with the ways of our Lord and Savior.

Now before you jump to conclusions, I am not saying that when you find yourself in pain that God is punishing you. Like the blind man in the gospel of John, “Neither he nor his parents sinned, Jesus answered.” Please don’t twist my meaning. I am just pointing out that many of us, myself included, seem to learn things the hard way. And God has used these opportunities to teach and correct so that I can move forward, with a closer understanding of His word and His character.

I no longer live in fear of God striking me down, obliterating me with a lightning bolt from Heaven. I know that God loves me, and He wants the best for me. But when I act like a stubborn toddler, I might find myself in timeout and in that moment, I am learning to stop and evaluate my choices. As of this morning, I have lost 13 lbs. in the past two months. My pain has improved significantly and most of the time, I can bend over now if I drop something on the floor. Funny how eliminating those things from my life has affected how I am feeling physically. [Insert sarcasm].

We all go through hills and valleys in this life. Life is not a walk on the beach. Many times, we will find ourselves hanging from our fingernails off the cliff of life, crying out for God to pull us up before we fall. Whether we are walking at the top of the mountain or pushing through the darkest valley, He is always with us. “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”