Occupational Therapy!

To hear the title “Occupational Therapist” one might think such a person would be an individual who helped people find work or offer direction with regard to a specific occupation. However, occupational therapy is defined as “therapy through activity” and is actually associated with medical fields. It is therapy done at regular intervals in the treatment of an illness or medical condition to move one back toward PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY. Following an injury of some sort or a stroke, such therapy may be necessary for retraining in walking or even being able to dress oneself again. The process may be a slow one, but any sign of movement toward more PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY is always encouraging.

Do we need some “occupational therapy” in a spiritual sense? Are there some things with regard to our life walk or the manner in which we dress our life that we could use some retraining to bring about more PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY in our life?

Having walked in sin ( Ephesians 2:1-2) we were found to be in need of some occupational therapy to help us walk in a manner more favorable to PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY in accordance with God’s Will. What is to mark the walk we are continuing to be retrained toward?

Paul stated…
“For we are his workmanship, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand, that WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.” ( Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

Since we are God’s workmanship we need to be mindful of training toward all that He created us to be and do. Such is to become our manner of walking. How focused are we on it?

Though I have been walking regularly for several years, last November I developed shin pains in one leg and the doctor sent me to a sports therapist. Since we live in a small community, this therapist had already seen me walking around town and knew some things that needed to change in my walking style. Besides exercises prescribed to strengthen and stretch some of my lower leg muscles I also had to learn to seriously concentrate on the alignment of my legs with my body (not throwing my legs off to the side) and also on which toe I should launch off of as I took each step. Being used to walking a certain way for so long it took almost my full concentration to walk in a manner that was better for my body. Within one week of the beginning of therapy the pain was gone and I was able to gradually build up to my former distance over a three to four week period.

Just as learning to walk physically in a different manner takes such concentration and practice, the same is true spiritually. It doesn’t just happen by itself. The proper manner in walking must be acknowledged and practiced on a regular basis so that gradually it can become the comfortable and natural style for our walk.

In writing to the Colossians, Paul exhorted…
“(5) Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (6) On account of these the wrath of God is coming. (7) IN THESE YOU TOO ONCE WALKED, when you were living in them. (8) But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. (9) Do not lie to one another, seeing that YOU HAVE PUT OFF THE OLD SELF WITH ITS PRACTICES (10) AND HAVE PUT ON THE NEW SELF, WHICH IS BEING RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE IMAGE OF ITS CREATOR.” ( Colossians 3:5-10 ESV)

The process toward greater PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY is ongoing. We have been created to walk in good works. We have also put on the new self that is in the process of being renewed back toward the image of its Creator. May we continue to follow the “therapy through activity” on a regular basis that our Creator has prescribed.

Have a great day CLOTHED AND WALKING IN A GODLY STYLE!
Carl

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