MORTAL BODIES

In the space of the last week I've had a painful tooth out, seen a specialist about a forthcoming operation, and had my eyes tested resulting in a 2 for one deal on reading glasses at Specsavers! Sitting here writing this wearing my new glasses and heavily dosed with anti-biotics and painkillers I'm aware that I'm getting old, that my body is not as healthy as it was. In fact, I'm getting acutely aware of my own mortality. Far, far worse was the shocking news yesterday that a 53 year-old member of our church died suddenly over the weekend, only a couple of weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. The truth is that our life on this earth is fragile and transient, precious and temporary. Nowhere was I more graphically reminded of this than on my two visits to the leprosy church ministered to by my friend Pastor Prasad. On both visits to the leprosy church I've been challenged by their devotion to God and their delight in worshipping Him despite their incredibly difficult physical circumstances. They know well that their physical bodies are only temporary residences and that one day they will be united with the Lord in heaven, and free of all pain and suffering. Whenever I see these humble people I realise that they are living out daily the message of hope found in the death, resurrection and new life of Christ that Easter brings. It's a message I need to rediscover in the midst of my own minor ailments this Easter time.
He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere. Phil. 3:21