T. Allen Burr Ministries

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been absent where the publication of my posts is involved, not out of a lack of interest or ability but of time. You see, I’ve experienced four major life changes that have occupied my time. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve had a total knee reconstruction, welcomed a new baby into the world, graduated with my masters, and lost a grandparent. And believe it or not, they all have reaffirmed theological truths in my life.

To begin with, my knees required complete reconstruction due to a genetic defect that caused violent dislocations. In November, I had the first knee fixed. In February, I had the other one done. Growing up, I prayed that my knees would be healed and I could continue to run track, to no avail. (In fact, I’m fairly certain that you can still find an article in the Clarion archives about a particularly nasty track accident I suffered in my sophomore year.) I went to revival services, prayer meetings, faith healers, you name it, all seeking healing. 

I had already been told by a doctor that I would never run or play any sports again. I was devastated but I resigned myself to never running again. In 2020, I met with a doctor who had developed a surgery to fix issues like mine. I wasn’t able to get the surgery done at the time due to insurance issues. In 2023, I started a job that offered great insurance that paid for the surgeries.

As I recuperated from the surgeries, God reminded me of something I have often told other people: All healing comes from God. You read that right. All healing comes from God. Whether healing happens naturally, by the hands of a doctor, or by supernatural intervention, God is the source of all healing. As part of His design, He imbued humans with the ability to heal naturally; the human body is designed to perform self-repairs, to an extent. Additionally, God imparted to us the ability to reason and make inferences both of which have led to the development of the sciences—the medical sciences, more specifically here. And lastly, by God’s very nature, any healing wrought by Him personally must be both supernatural and an intervention. Such healing certainly exceeds the natural order and it also represents the divine breaking into the created natural order to bring about something that is truly other.

The second major life event was the birth of my son. During the pregnancy, I often stopped to consider that I was getting a glimpse into what Mary must have felt as she carried Jesus. My wife was carrying a child who bears the image of God. All life is precious, and all life is sacred. This is not a political statement or a plea for any kind of action to be taken. This is a simple statement that life is a precious gift. This intertwines with the last major life event I’ll write about. I realized during the pregnancy that, as cliche and obvious as it sounds, I will never be able to experience the bond shared between a mother and her child. I’ll never know what it’s like to feel the a baby’s kicks. That experience is a precious, God-given gift that I’ll never experience.

The third major life event was my graduation from seminary. Two-and-a-half years of study culminated in the conferral of my Masters of Arts in Philosophy and Apologetics. The truth that was hammered home to me was twofold. Firstly, God reminded me that my efforts in school were a calling for me to follow Paul’s advice to Timothy: “Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, DRV) Secondly, the work I put in to completing my thesis is groundwork laid so I can continue to help those who are suffering: “The Lord comforteth us in all our tribulation; that we also may be able to comfort them who are in all distress, by the exhortation wherewith we also are exhorted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4, DRV) Seminary was a wonderful experience and graduating has given me two truths: God can redeem our past failures and turn them to greater joy, and God can use our natural talents to reach those around us.

The final life event I’ll share with you is the unfortunate and unexpected passing of my maternal grandfather. As I said, life is a precious gift. This is the first time I’ve lost a family member this close to me. It was unexpected and heart wrenching. That said, one thing gives me comfort: I know he’s no longer suffering. Paul said, “But we are confident, and have a good will to be absent rather from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8, DRV) He has shuffled off his mortal coil and has joined the hosts of heaven. What the experience taught me is that suffering lasts for a moment, but the healing found in God’s everlasting presence is eternal.

These truths have helped me understand the nature of life, God, and His calling. I pray that every life event that occurs for you gives you opportunity to seek God and discern His nature and will.