LIFE IS UNCERTAIN

This is a weird one, so don’t be shocked. Last Tuesday, Linda and I sat at our kitchen table on a Zoom call with her doctor. She’d been experiencing some health issues and we were discussing her test results. The doc spoke calmly, but the words coming out of his mouth hit me like a sledgehammer. “Two ovarian tumors… cancer…” Then his next phrase floored me: “Stage four… incurable.”

I heard his words, but they didn’t register. “This can’t be happening,” I thought. In one moment, our world turned upside-down.  

We cling strongly to our faith. We know the Lord is in charge, and he still rules over the universe.  We don’t need to fear, but at moments, I find my thoughts drifting to worst-case-scenarios. It’s a battle to live in the moment, but it’s so critical. Despite what doctors say, we’re trusting God for healing. We have alternative treatments in place that look promising. Specifically, the Gerson Institute has experienced great success in treating late-stage cancer patients.

It’s only been a few days, so my feelings are extremely raw. I don’t have it in me to write a “normal” bullet this week. But I still have a few reflections. Life is precious. And uncertain. And fragile. James 4:14 states, “You do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]” (AMP). Ain’t that the truth!

Without God, life is meaningless. That’s what Solomon declared throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. But adding the Lord to the equation changes everything! I simply cannot imagine going through another day without the hope we have in Jesus.

Like I said, this is far from a typical Barney’s Bullet. The Lord willing, I will resume writing more encouraging articles next week. Writing is therapy for me. In the meantime, please pray for Linda. Hezekiah prayed, and God healed him. Elijah prayed, and the sky poured forth rain. James 5:15 states that “prayer offered in faith will heal the sick” (NLT). Linda asks everyone to pray in faith by picturing her as an old lady working in her flower garden. I look forward to that prayer being answered!

Principle:  Life is uncertain, precious, and fragile.

Ponder:

●       In what ways does God show you that life is uncertain?

●       How can you demonstrate to those most precious to you how much you value them? 

Pursue: For a deeper dive, study James 5:13-20.

Prayer: Lord, during my darkest days, surround me with your presence, and help me to experience your peace.