One Flu Over The Cuckoo Rest

This past week I have been battling the flu and by battling I do mean out and out warfare! I’ll spare the sorted details but let it suffice to say that a rampant fever followed by chills, deep chest coughing and lack of appetite where I ate little to nothing for three days. When Pam returned from Wednesday night services and reported that several of the flock had faced the same fate I didn’t feel any comfort in our shared misery but rather felt great empathy for our common fate. I also felt sorry for my dear wife who puts up with my pathetic sad faced please pity me antics. It will always amaze me that such small germs and viruses are able to take down the mighty and the small alike. The flu takes its toll every year and unfortunately often takes the lives of many. God has given us a marvelous body that when working at its optimum best manufactures antibodies to fight off infection and invaders. The best medicine is a healthy immune system.

On this weekend commemorating the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord we are reminded that the power of the resurrection is much like our spiritual immune system. That is, in the resurrection we have the antidote… the antibody that overcomes sin. The first of these sins is the personal sin of pride and self-reliance. Then the battle to be in harmony with Jesus as the suffering servant that leads us on to perseverance and hope. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz who identifies herself to the Great and Powerful Oz as the Small and Meek Dorothy… we know that blessed are the meek. And then finally, we have come to know through Christ Jesus our Lord that it is in His death that we find life! Paul puts it this way, I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3:10).

I hate the flu… but I’m secure in the hope of the resurrection that has allowed me to know my Savior and long for the great day of resurrection when there will be no more sorrow, pain or sickness! Now that’s powerful! –DAN