The Specialist

When an injury or illness results in the need for rehabilitation or a change in lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise, we are often referred to a specialist to help walk us through the sometimes lengthy recovery. The specialist’s job is to direct us in what to do, encourage us to press on when we’re feeling unequal to the task, and—when necessary—bring us back in line. In Hebrews 12, the author encourages the church not to grow weary in our struggle against sin or in the discipline we sometimes need to go through. He writes, “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. … Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed” (vv. 7–8, 12–13).