Working alone. A terrible accident. Barely any cell service.
Wakes up in the hospital and asks if he was dead. Eighteen units of blood and minus a leg later. He could have been. But Scott Sandusky’s life was spared.
How would you react if you woke up in the hospital with one less leg than you remember? Scott’s family has reported good spirits and a positive attitude anchored by faith. “I needed a new challenge” was his brother’s favorite quote.
Under those circumstances would that be you? In fact, how are reacting to the losses in your life today? Maybe it’s a chronic battle with disease, a crumbling marriage, a job loss. What are you facing today?
Now let’s think about what the apostle Paul said:
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. 1 Cor. 4:7-12
I have read this verse so many times, but that line, “so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies” stuck out to me today. I hear so many Christ-followers ask “Why me?” in the midst of their pain. Well, I think there’s our answer. Christ wants to demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit in us (Rom. 8:11). Seriously. That’s pretty amazing.
What if instead of asking “Why me?” We said, “I’m glad it’s me. I’m thankful I have been counted worthy.” What if instead of seeing us grieve like the rest of world, people noticed our Christ-trusting response in the darkest days. What if instead of grumbling, we praised. Instead of sorrow, inexplicable joy. What if instead of resentment we said, “I needed a new challenge.”
I don’t want to put Scott on a platform to be praised. But I want Scott’s example cause his Lord to be praised.
The same Lord who has given Scott hope can give you hope. The same God who demonstrated the life of Jesus in the body of others will do it for you too, if you you let him.
Scott is a self-employed father of four, if you would like to donate money to help them during this time click here.
