Side effects are interesting. They can let you know that something is happening in you body, but they are also doing something damaging to something else on your body. So while we are fighting a more serious problem of cancer, there are less serious side-effects that are tearing apart another part of the body. Collateral Damage. Sometimes you have to sacrifice (pretty feet) for the hope of being free of a worse issue.
We just finished studying 1&2 Timothy at Glenkirk's Women's Bible Study. This past week we got to the end of 2nd Timothy and really saw the heart of Paul. For those who don't know, the books of Timothy in the New Testament Bible are letters that Paul wrote to Timothy encouraging him to stay true to God's Word and preach the gospel no matter how hard it will get. Paul is also writing these last words knowing that he will never be free again. His execution is getting closer, and he knows in his heart that he has to travel this road of sacrifice so that others will know the power and love of Jesus.
Paul considered himself collateral damage. He sacrificed his entire life for the purpose of building the church of Christ and seeing that those churches would carry the Word of God forward and not re-write it or water it down. He knew he would lose his life, but he also knew the moment he took his last breath here on earth, he would gain new life in the presence of God.
Collateral damage is a hard concept to swallow. Sometimes it comes in the form of leaving an abusive marriage to give the kids a healthier environment. Sometimes it means biting our tongue so that we can work peacefully with a person to resolve an issue. There are times we have to have medical tests and we worry if x-rays and MRI machines will harm us, but we need the important information they give.
Collateral damage can be a very humbling and beautiful experience. When you know that something bad in your life is working for the good in others, it is a sacrifice that can give you great joy if God is at the center. There are times when life does not look like what we expected or wanted. If we remember that God can work in all things, and that He does immeasurably more that we can imagine, then we have hope that the sacrifice of pain at the moment can work to the greater good.
I know that my cancer has brought more to my life, and the life of others, than I could have ever imagined or done on my own. I think God has used me as collateral damage so that I write for Him on this Blog, and get the message out of His love. Being collateral damage sounds worse than it is. It is a humbling experience, and a great joy to see. I treasure the work God has done in the past three years (four years in April).
I think I know a little of how Paul felt when he said that he was being poured out like a drink offering, but he had peace in knowing that he fought the good fight. His future on earth was unknown, but not looking good. However, he saw God at work in amazing ways, and it made it all well with his very soul. Sometimes, when you believe something in the depth of your soul, you will sacrifice everything for that belief. That is when peace, hope and faith step in and fill you with indescribable joy at the changes that can be made when one has God at their side.
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Fight the good fight!
Sandy
