"The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9.
Choices. We make choices everyday: when to get up; what to wear; where to eat breakfast; who to see; how to respond to situations that confront us. Situations such as sudden illness. Illness such as cancer; the big "C". "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psa. 22:1) That is one reaction a person could choose when confronted with a "bummer" disease diagnosis. But would that be a fair choice? Has one really been forsaken by God when something unfortunate happens? After all as the ancients stated, "We live in a fallen world." As my husband has often said, "God never promised us a rose garden." Being a Christian is no "slam dunk" guarantee that bad things will not happen to good people.
My choice of responses to this surprise crisis of health was to turn toward God rather than away. After all, long before I became a Christian, God ..."formed my inward parts;...(He) wove me in my mother's womb....I (was) fearfully and wonderfully made;...my frame was not hidden from (Him)...(His) eyes (saw) my unformed substance;...And in (His) book were all written the days that were ordained for me. When as yet there was not one of them." (Psa. 139: 13-16) Imagine! Before any of my days even began, God knew the very day I would be diagnosed with cancer. He knew! He knew! Would he forsake me now? When I became a Christian; when I turned over my life to Him, I trusted my eternal soul to Him. To quote David Roper, "can (I) not entrust (my) present circumstances to Him?" Yes!!!
"...those wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." (Isa. 40: 31)
As I think back on the days and weeks before my cancer diagnosis, God had actually prepared me for the day, although I was not aware of His preparations. In August of 2010, while the Sunday school classes took the month off, several of us met during the Sunday school hour to memorize Psalm 19.
The class was led by Chris Clor, a devout Christian lady, who issued a challenge to us in the church to come together for 4 weeks and memorize God's word. By "arranging" for me to learn this Psalm by heart God was "setting the stage" for an upcoming scene in my life. This Psalm reminded me that everyday God is active in our world and in our lives. "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." (Psa. 19:1) Then God further evoked important and compelling characteristics of His: "The law of the LORD is perfect,...; The testimony of the LORD is sure,...; The precepts of the LORD are right,...; The commandment of the LORD is pure,...The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true;..." (Psa. 19:7-9) And God concluded the Psalm by encouraging me that He, my LORD, was "my rock and my Redeemer." (Psa. 19:14)
Several days prior to my hospitalization, God spoke to our visitation pastor, Pastor Andy, and directed him to preach concerning Psalm 139. Pastor Andy using this Psalm for his sermon topic was no coincidence. God wanted to reinforce in my heart and mind three of His attributes that I now know are critical to our relationship during these times. Pastor Andy emphasised God's Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Omnipotence. My LORD wanted to remind me that He has perfect knowledge of all things past, present, and future. That He is everywhere, always. And He is all powerful; He created everyone. God reminded me that " (His) hand will lead me, And (His) right hand will lay hold of me." (Psa. 139:10)
And finally, to further help me grow closer to Him and fully realize that He is in total of control of my situation, God guided a committee in our church to decide that our Sunday morning adult bible class should study Chip Ingram's book, God as He longs for you to see Him. The purpose of the course is to better understand "seven attributes of God: His goodness, sovereignty, holiness, wisdom, justice, love, and faithfulness. (We'll) see God in a whole new light. It will change the way (we) pray, the way (we) live, and the way (we) think about the world around (us)." God wants me to gain deeper knowledge of Him so that I may have a better understanding of the "what" and the "why" of my current circumstances. He wants me to know that He is on this journey with me. He wants me to realize that "(He) is the one who goes ahead of (me); He will be with (me). He will not fail (me) or forsake (me)." (Deut. 31:8)
I invite you to join me on this journey. Come with me as God and I talk while He directs my steps.
Louise
No comments:
Post a Comment