Let me first be clear to say that I do not believe in purgatory, but if I did, (and I don’t) I’m relatively sure that I just lived through it. For five days I lay lifeless on the couch. If I rallied for more than 30 minutes I would collapse back into a slump, feeling pain in my body like I’ve never felt.
I felt the Psalmist’s anguish when he wrote in Psalm 88:14-15 “Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me? I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.”
That might be a little more dramatic than my bout with the flu, but it was close. My throbbing head would not allow me to use my eyes for anything that would require focus, such as the computer or Bible. My body ached to the point that I was a “point A (bed) to point B (couch)” kinda gal. I was in too much pain to even listen to Satan! I was just in limbo… i.e. purgatory. Waiting for God to come and fetch me out. I missed Church on Wednesday night which broke my heart because I missed being with the teens and the over all experience gave me a reason to get back in the saddle and ride for Jesus again this morning.
I need ramped up. Perhaps you do too! It doesn’t take the flu to get you away from God. Just everyday life can take its toll. It’s so easy to get lackadaisical about serving Christ when you’re in purgatory. We often count on someone else to “buy” us out by giving us an encouraging word or allowing us to live vicariously through their zealous service. A friend messaged me yesterday to say that they had 7 saved in their revival this week, that’s exciting stuff! But I played no part… I want my own trophies of grace to lay at the feet of Jesus. I want to tell somebody what my LORD did for me, and rev up their soul to be saved. I want to walk down that Roman’s Road of Salvation with a new friend in Christ and put a few new mile markers of my own in the dirt.
What about you Saint of God?
Revival fires start with just a little kindling. What are you doing today to ignite that fire? I have sat on the couch for 5 days in a heap of wet wood. Today’s my day and here’s the game plan. Meditate on Psalm 85:6-7 ~ Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.
We have but to ask in sincerity and God is faithful to provide. My heart needs stirred, and so I’m asking.