My heart is heavy for someone very close to me. There has been a great loss, and I know that he is hurt, angry and confused. There are many people out there who are hurting just like him, but for different reasons, and they ask themselves, "What kind of God would allow this to happen. Where is He?" Sometimes people only call out to God when they are in distress. They think of God like a vending machine where they put in their quarter and expect to get what they select. There is no personal relationship or deep conversation, just requests. When the time comes that they really need guidance, they don't know how to ask, and they don't know where to look for God's response. Sometimes in frustration over their situation, they conclude there is no God because He is not answering in the way they would expect an almighty God react.
Can you think of a person that you love deeply, and who loves you back with the same kind of love? Can you imagine that person wanting to harm you? Can you picture that person inflicting a disease on you to make you suffer? If you went to that person in desperation, do you think they would do whatever they could to help you? That person may not be able to take away your problem. Most of the time it is by our own choices that we find ourselves in a hole that we can't get out. It is not good to have a friend that always fixes things for us; but a loving friend would give comfort and guidance and not leave you alone to suffer. It is the same with God, and more!
In all the trials of my life, I have always been thankful that Jesus was my closest friend. I have never had to question His love for me because I already knew that He was a friend that would not wish harm on me or turn His back on me. He has had to watch me learn some painful lessons. I love the quote by Rick Warren that says, God is more interested in my character than my comfort. I would not be strong today if God was always solving my problems for me the way I wanted Him to. He has always brought me through the trials in His own way, and His way has always been better than mine.
If there was only one thing I could learn from my cancer, it would be that God promises He will never leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5). God does not say He will come in and fix all my problems in my timing. He does not say I will never have problems. He says that when the time comes that the waves threaten to overtake me, He WILL NOT let them! ( Isaiah 43:2,3)
I have set my eyes on Him, and he has lived up to that promise every day for the past eleven months!
Never in my life have I devoured God's word, the Bible, like I have this past year. If you need to get started somewhere, I suggest the Psalms. I read Psalms 34:4,5 the other day, and I am convinced it was written just for me. It says:
"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him and be radiant..."
I think people are constantly amazed at how healthy I look. My body might look horrible on those MRIs and bone scans, but I will not be afraid. My faith in my almighty God makes me radiant!
Our pastor, Jim, had a beautiful message on Easter Sunday about the tomb being empty. If you have a huge stone in your life that will not roll away, God can roll it away! That large rock that threatened to separate us from Jesus did not stay in place! Look to God. Get into His word. Talk to Him!
Radiantly Yours,
Sandy
