Been There, Done That

By Sally I Kennedy

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but...we have one (Jesus, the Son of God) who has been
tempted in every way, just as we are-- Hebrews 4:15

This afternoon I was waving my arm back and forth underwater, hoping
the weightlessness and buoyancy of the pool would help heal the
tendonitis. In the past, my husband has suffered with arthritic
problems in his shoulders and elbows. He would wince when turning a
certain way, even in his sleep. I believed him, that it really hurt.
I couldn't understand it though.

I can no longer say that, thanks to the trimming of the banana tree.
The dead leaves kept getting droopier, so one morning I got out the
long-handled clippers. Intrepidly, I tackled my project. Somehow I
forgot about banana leaves being made of incredibly strong, fibrous
material not unlike nylon. I had a good grip, twisted my forearm, and
pop! I could feel the burning sensation.

It is true, you can't understand a person until you've walked in his
shoes. Nor can you, I think, truly trust him unless he's 'been there,
done that'. In the Bible, it says Jesus understands everything about
us. Everything. If that is so, then he has experienced all that we
have. As I pondered this, the thought crossed my mind, " I don't
think so. He lived a long time ago and there's no way he's gone
through what I have."

Then different stories from the Bible came to mind. I thought how
Jesus was shunned and rejected by not only strangers, but also by
people he knew well. He was misunderstood continually, and
misrepresented. He felt sadness, sorrow, and he grieved. He hurt and
he got angry. He loved his mom, family, parties, his buddies. He
was, at times, tempted to do wrong, perhaps even confused and unsure.
And often he talked things over with his Father.

If each time there's a twinge of pain, my memory is jogged to recall
that we have a Savior who's "been there, done that" and I can trust
Him, it will have been more than worth it.

Sally I. Kennedy
Words from the Heart