I
want to take a rare opportunity to whine.
I
live in the allergy capital of the world.
And here’s the data to prove it:
grass pollens of more than 20 grains per meter are considered
“high”. Counts of 200 grains per meter
are considered “very high”. Guess what:
here in the southern end of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, grass pollen
counts above 600 are not unusual. And
counts have been recorded over 1500.
That
is a lot of pollen.
The
numbers are different for tree pollens, weed pollens, and other sources of
sinus misery… but at some point every spring, Eugene/Springfield typically
exceeds the “very high” level for all of these various noxious,
nostril-inflaming substances.
This
is where I live…and I suffer from horrible allergies.
Many
years ago when I underwent allergy testing, my allergist said that I had the
worst reaction to spring pollens he ever had seen in more than 50 years of
medical practice. I’d always wanted to
be first in something, but this is not really the category where I prefer to be
leading the pack.
I’ve
been treated by allergists, ENT’s, and a variety of other medical professionals
over the years. I’ve found some relief
here and there, but nothing ever has fully solved the problem. So I sniffle and sneeze and snort my way
through life. I told my wife that I
should have become a major stockholder in the Kimberly-Clarke corporation
(makers of Kleenex) since I consume so much of their product. I’m convinced that I must be a large part of
their profit base.
Here’s
something else I want to whine about: because
of my allergy problems, I am much more susceptible to colds. And guess what: the Native Americans called this place “the
valley of sickness.” They were right. People do get sick a lot here from the bad
air. Colds tend to linger…and linger…and
linger.
So
I finish off my winter colds just in time for the spring allergy season. I am constantly battling congestion, a runny
nose, a sore throat. On most days, I
feel mildly “sick”, rather than “well”.
All of this is a real distraction as I try to preach.
Yet
I moved to this area, by choice, a little over three years ago. Why? Because this is where God has called me to
serve.
I
can see so many reasons for me to be here.
I love our church, the climate, the ministry opportunities. There seems to be a healthy meshing of my
interests and skills with the needs of the church and the needs of our
community.
And
yet…physically…it’s been a struggle.
So
I’ve spent a lot of time musing about the relationship between my calling and
my comfort (or discomfort). I wrestle
with the fact that my personal discomfort is a direct result of life in the
place where God has asked me to live.
I
find that it’s easy to be self-centered about these things; to feel that
because I am “doing God’s work” and “honoring my call” that the Lord should not
ask me to endure this level of discomfort, inconvenience, and annoyance.
And
then, of course, I think of all that Jesus endured.
And
the original 12 disciples.
And
the Apostle Paul.
…as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in
great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings,
imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger…
2
Corinthians 6:4-5
I have…been in prison
more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again
and again. Five times I received from
the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three
times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was
shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly
on the move. I have been in danger from
rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from
Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea;
and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often
gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without
food; I have been cold and naked.
2
Corinthians 11:23-27
This certainly puts my problems into
perspective. After all, what’s the cost
of wiping my nose compared to these kinds of experiences?
It’s clear that my personal comfort…our
personal comfort…is not that high on God’s list. Not when there are so much more important
issues at stake. Like getting the world
back on track with His program.
And yet…on a larger level…I wonder why
God has arranged it this way. There
obviously is a great amount of pain in this world, and doing good does not
allow us to avoid it. At times doing
good comes at a high price. Doing godly
work sometimes comes at a great price.
And Jesus – the one I claim to follow – paid the greatest price of
all.
All of this makes me realize, yet
again, the consequences of living in a fallen world. This is the cost of sin. For me.
For everyone.
And rather than whine about some of my
personal hardships, I know the Lord wants me to live with a sense of
gratitude. Gratitude for knowing
Him. Gratitude for what Jesus has done, and
is continuing to do in me and through me.
And – just as importantly – gratitude for living here.
Here in the pollen-laden Willamette
Valley.
This is the place where I have the
opportunity…where I have the incredible privilege…to live out my calling. Doing so by the grace of a loving God who
knows what is best for me.
Even if, much of the time, life is physically
uncomfortable.
When I look at life from this
perspective, I find there is great comfort in knowing I am doing what the Lord
wants. Where He wants. And this comfort – this spiritual, relational
comfort from the Heavenly Father – far outweighs any personal discomfort I may
experience.
-
Bruce
