1 Corinthians 10:1-13

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.

Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Jill and I have been dear friends since we were 10 years old. She is married to David and together they have raised a fine daughter, worked hard, maintained a strong Christian faith and loved each other well for over 30 years. In so many ways, they have built a life that others wish to emulate. The ministry has always called to David and a few years ago, he went back to school to become a Christian counselor. Working full time and carrying many hours each semester was difficult, but together they made it happen. He graduated last year and took a job with a counseling ministry in Colorado. They were thrilled and moved there in July.

In August, David was cycling to work when he collided with another biker. The impact launched him through the air and his head crashed into a rock. His helmet split, he suffered broken vertebrae in his neck and a broken bone in his back, among other injuries. The first people on the scene could find no pulse, but CPR brought him back and he was rushed to the hospital.

As word of the terrible accident circulated through Jill and David’s wide network of stunned friends and family, hundreds of prayers were made as everyone asked, “why?” Why could such a tragedy happen to such good people? Although trying hard to cling to hope, the initial outlook was grim. A machine was breathing for David, he could only respond with a fluttering eyelid and his limbs were unresponsive. We were all afraid to hear to next news.

This is a story with a good ending, however. After months spent in a rehabilitation facility in Denver, David has regained much of his mobility and has even returned to work. His prognosis is good for continued recovery. Staff members at his counseling center think his horrible experience will give him even more empathy with his own clients. Jill and David both believe that all the prayers offered on their behalf and the abiding presence of God have led them out of this horrible experience and a return to normal life.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for being with us in the darkest moments. Give us strength to realize that though terrible things happen throughout the world, we can depend on your presence and love. Help us to strengthen our faith through this Lenten season. Amen.

Marilyn Wimer

Director of Administrative Service