Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic  Lateral  Sclerosis

          I was challenged to participate in the "ice bucket challenge" that is popular right now to "fight ALS".  ALS is also called Lou Gehrig's Disease after the famous baseball player who was struck down by it.  He was called the "Iron Horse" because of his career in which he set a record for most consecutive games played.  It was this disease that ended his streak and career.

          An article on the ALS website describes the disease as:  "a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed."

          While it is a noble and worthwhile endeavor to try to find a cure with the hope lives can be saved, I want to take this "teachable moment" to share my thoughts on the matter.  I do not in any way belittle the efforts that are being made with a sincere desire to eradicate a disease.  But let's lift our thoughts a little higher.

          This world is filled with disease and trouble. But new problems and more dangerous diseases are constantly arising. There is only one sure cure for all these problems, and that is the Second Coming of Jesus.  At that time all sickness and disease will be destroyed.  Those who are ready and welcome His return will be instantly changed and given immortal bodies that will never again be subject to disease.  We have the sure promise of God that: "there the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick..."   (Isaiah 33:24)   "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are wiped away.  He that sat on the throne said: Behold, I make all things new..."(Revelation 21:4-5)

     I am only one person.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  While a cure may give a few more years of life here, or prevent a painful death; if they are still eternally lost then it means nothing.  Therefore I choose to put my efforts, my money, my time, into seeking to prepare people to be ready when Jesus comes again.  There are many good causes, but rather than scatter my efforts I choose to aim at the one and only sure solution to the problems of this world.  People need a heart change, and that can only be done by the power of God, Who is working here to prepare us for there.  I did the video since I was challenged, but my money goes to those who are working to prepare people for the coming of Jesus. "Prepare to meet your God" (Amos 4:12) is God's message, and my message, for all.