091507

November 15, 2007

A Heart Surgeon of Another Kind

by Shana Schutte

When I was a senior in high school, I took a test along with my classmates to determine what professions I would enjoy. Some of my classmates' results included lawyer, lobbyist and chemist. I discovered I could be a successful writer, elementary school teacher or artist.

Since then, I've discovered several things that God didn't create me to do--and one of them is to perform heart surgery. He just didn't give me what I needed either psychologically or intellectually. I'm not good at math or skilled in science or biology; and to top things off, I hate blood and pain. If I was a doctor, I would be the most paranoid one you have ever seen. Panic would rule me during every operation, which would insure that I would cut someone open, perform the surgery, and sew them back together, only to discover that I had parts left over!

Ironically, I perform heart surgery of another kind every day on readers using words. You might think that we're different because my words are written and perhaps yours are not. However, all of us are perform surgery with words during different times in life. Think about it. Have you ever taken your wounded heart to a friend hoping for an encouraging comment to heal you? When was the last time someone approached you for comforting affirmation?

Several months ago, I was the recipient of the healing ministry of words. I hadn't been feeling well, and I was frightened so I called a friend. He suggested he read truths from Scripture to me over the phone and that I repeat them after him. For close to thirty minutes, I listened to truths like, "The Lord heals me," and "God forgives all my sins and heals my diseases" and spoke them, too. After close to twenty minutes, my fear vanished and I cried as God's presence enveloped me. Christ showed up through the surgery that my friend did on my heart using Jesus' words.

My prayer is that somehow the words I send to you each day will be an encouragement to your heart, and heal what is hurting, just like my friend did for me.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, NIV).

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