A Toothache

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

If you've ever experienced a toothache you will know just how excruciating the pain can become. It's so uncomfortable because you feel so helpless. You touch the offending tooth and think up ways to stop the pain but to no avail. Until you have the tooth removed, the pain persists.

I'm suffering from toothache right now. Last night I slept fitfully and woke up often to take pain medication. But this morning it became much worse. Just now, I was dancing around because of the pain and could have just about burst into tears, quite literally, when the pain disappeared. I mean it simply vanished. I cannot explain it in the least. All I know is that one moment I was experiencing some of the most intense pain of my life and the next moment it was gone. Wow! If you ever needed proof that miracles still happen…

The significance of my sudden relief is not lost on me. It's the kind of "twinkling of an eye" event that scripture talks about. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul tells us that these earthly, corruptible bodies will be exchanged for heavenly, immortal bodies in the twinkling of an eye. Just like that. One moment this, the next moment that.

"Our bodies now disappoint us," he says, "but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power." What a momentous occasion, I can hardly wait.

In developing his argument, Paul uses the analogy of a seed sown into soil. It's planted in one form and grows into another. But before it can become a fruiting plant the seed must die, change form, be watered, and endure the scorching sun, the relentless rain and the blistering cold until it reaches maturity. It must go through a lot of pain before it can become what it was meant to be all along. But in the end, the entire process is worth it. What a sweet relief!

The same applies to us. In this world we will experience suffering, hardships and, yes, toothaches, but in the end it will all be gone, in the twinkling of an eye. And it will all be worth it.

With love, Doosuur.

The Waiting Game

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:13,14

Traffic in Jos is at a standstill. I was on my way to pick my younger brother from school when I met a traffic hold-up. After sitting still a short while, I walked up to the junction to find out what might be the problem. "We're waiting for the chief," one person volunteered. "The number one." I soon found out that he was referring to President Obasanjo and his entourage making the political rounds in Jos.

Good enough, I thought, as I sat down to wait. But slowly one minute turned into five, into ten and still no sign of any let up. I sat back in my chair and dug into a Reader's Digest to help pass the time but my patience quickly turned to exasperation as the hour-mark approached. The most frustrating thing about my predicament is that in Jos there are precious few alternative routes to take you anywhere. I soon left to seek another path but the second and third options were clogged with other people thinking like me. Finally, after about an hour and a half I got to my destination.

I'm not sure any of us likes waiting, particularly not for other people. The analytical side of me wonders why thousands of man-hours should be spent waiting, in vain no less, for a single individual.

But the experience reminds me of the heroes of scripture. They very often were made to wait patiently for the Lord. Joseph endured oppression and incarceration while awaiting his elevation. Hannah endured barrenness and taunting while waiting for her child. David endured hunger and the harsh wilderness while waiting for his kingdom. The list goes on and on. But in each case they eventually received what had been promised.

This lesson is significant for me as much as for anyone, because I find myself at a stage in life where I have to do a lot of waiting. It's the crossroads that we all come to at one point or the other where life-changing decisions have to be made. You'll agree with me that it's never easy to wait expectantly when answers seem far off, but I'm learning that the prize is always worth the wait. So I'll keep waiting.

With love, Doosuur

I would cherish your thoughts, whether you're at the crossroads, been there & done that or are yet to get there.

The Waiting Game

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:13,14

Traffic in Jos is at a standstill. I was on my way to pick my younger brother from school when I met a traffic hold-up. After sitting still a short while, I walked up to the junction to find out what might be the problem. "We're waiting for the chief," one person volunteered. "The number one." I soon found out that he was referring to President Obasanjo and his entourage making the political rounds in Jos.

Good enough, I thought, as I sat down to wait. But slowly one minute turned into five, into ten and still no sign of any let up. I sat back in my chair and dug into a Reader's Digest to help pass the time but my patience quickly turned to exasperation as the hour-mark approached. The most frustrating thing about my predicament is that in Jos there are precious few alternative routes to take you anywhere. I soon left to seek another path but the second and third options were clogged with other people thinking like me. Finally, after about an hour and a half I got to my destination.

I'm not sure any of us likes waiting, particularly not for other people. The analytical side of me wonders why thousands of man-hours should be spent waiting, in vain no less, for a single individual.

But the experience reminds me of the heroes of scripture. They very often were made to wait patiently for the Lord. Joseph endured oppression and incarceration while awaiting his elevation. Hannah endured barrenness and taunting while waiting for her child. David endured hunger and the harsh wilderness while waiting for his kingdom. The list goes on and on. But in each case they eventually received what had been promised.

This lesson is significant for me as much as for anyone, because I find myself at a stage in life where I have to do a lot of waiting. It's the crossroads that we all come to at one point or the other where life-changing decisions have to be made. You'll agree with me that it's never easy to wait expectantly when answers seem far off, but I'm learning that the prize is always worth the wait. So I'll keep waiting.

With love, Doosuur

I would cherish your thoughts, whether you're at the crossroads, been there & done that or are yet to get there.