Imagine a man, once full of vigor and grace, now struggling with the simple act of lifting a fork to his mouth. His hands tremble, and his body is no longer in sync with his will. His muscles, meant to obey his commands as naturally as a well-rehearsed dance, now move independently, refusing to follow the rhythm he sets. This man is battling Parkinson's disease, a cruel disorder that robs him of his smooth and coordinated movements, leaving him to grapple with an unruly body that no longer obeys his commands.
This is a heartbreaking sight, one that evokes a deep sense of sympathy. We mourn the loss of natural order in his body, a body designed for graceful motion, now overthrown by the tyranny of disease. The same body that once moved fluidly, now stumbles and shakes, making even the most mundane tasks a Herculean challenge.
Now, let us consider another man, also struggling. His strife, however, is not with his physical body, but with his marital relationship. This man is facing a different kind of disorder, one where the natural order of his life, dictated by his faith and convictions, is disrupted. Instead of a wife who follows his lead, he has a partner who disregards his guidance, choosing to act independently of his mission.
This is no less heartbreaking. The discord, the lack of harmony, and the strained dynamics mirror the struggle of the man with Parkinson's. Just as the man with Parkinson's disease strives to lift his fork, this man strives to lead his family, but his efforts are thwarted by a relationship that refuses to follow its natural order.
Upon encountering such a scene, I feel the same sorrow as when I witness the struggle of the man with Parkinson's. I often need to suppress the visceral response when I hear an interaction between a husband and wife that is out of order because it is blasphemy. (Titus 2:4-5, 1 Peter 3:1-6) The discordant conversation of a husband and wife, the disarray in their relationship, is akin to the discordant movements of the man trying to lift his food to his mouth. Both men are grappling with a disordered situation that requires external support to navigate.
And so, as they seek assistance, one of three outcomes often emerges:
The man abandons his God-given mission, succumbing to the path presented by his wife.
All manner of attempts will be made to sever what God has joined together, threatening the sanctity of the union.
By God's grace, the Word of God is not blasphemed, and the couple can glorify God, particularly the husband, who can attest that God has bestowed upon him a wonderful helper suitable for his mission.
The sorrow evoked by the sight of a man grappling with Parkinson's, his body rebelling against the natural order of graceful movement, is mirrored in the heartbreak of observing a husband struggling with a wife who refuses to follow his lead. Both situations remind us of the toll sin takes in our lives. What a blessing it would it be to reverse Parkinson's, and what a blessing it is that we do have the Word of God for those hearts willing to humble themselves under it. What unspeakable peace, what rest, what calm comes from nestling our hearts deep into the truth and reality of God’s Word. This reality is not what the world offers; it can only be found in pleading with God to put His Word on our hearts so that we might live in accordance with His reality and not a false reality of our own making.
~Jason Heavner