I have a friend who is suffering from MS. He's waiting to find out if he will get into the chemo treatment or the regular treatment.
Just in case, his wife asked some of his friends to write something to him to encourage him if he is stuck in the doctors office for 8 hours a day for 5 days in a row.
This is what I wrote:
"I know that most people will write about healing, and i am praying for healing. Don't get me wrong. But for some reason, the place I landed– is at John 14. Which is not a healing scripture. It was just in my devotions this week. 1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God - trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going." (Jn 14)I realize that this is the scripture for people who’ve lost a loved one, but that wasn’t the context in which Jesus quoted it. At the end of John 13, the disciples wanted to follow Jesus wherever. But he said they couldn’t go yet. And they were disappointed.
I believe that (and am asking for) God will heal you from this. And that this MS will be treatable and you will live a long life here on this earth to continue to be a blessing to your family and the world. But I think I’m supposed to remind you that “this world is not our home – we’re just a passin through.”
The truth of the matter is, if I get my perspective straight I realize that the sooner I get to go to be with the Father – THE BETTER.I can’t wait for the Lord to return. I can’t wait for the people who have screwed up lives, screwed up marriages, screwed up habits, all of us who are screwed up – I can’t wait for all of us to be whole.
MS isn’t making you un-whole. We are all un-whole.
I believe Jesus left us this message to help get us through times like you are going through.
I really want you to be around and be healthy for your family and the community who needs you. I’m praying for that to happen. I believe it will happen.
I just can’t help but think of Lazarus at times, and wonder how ticked off he must have been to have been resurrected. Our perspective is completely one sided. We don’t get it.
We just returned from Grand Rapids for a college visit to Cornerstone University where Lauren will start in the fall. I’m so excited for the future God has for her. I can’t wait to see what God will do in her life. Rachel is having an amazing time in England and God is using her music there. Becca is growing up so much, playing High School soccer and doing music and has a great heart. I am optimistic about the future. I want to see how it all turns out. The church is great. My marriage is growing every day. I am looking forward to being an old retired pastor couple who can look back on a life well lived and well served.
In every way I am and should be happy about where life is for me, and where it is taking me. Life is good.
But there is a haunting down deep in my soul that tells me that every day I'm stuck here, I should be a little disappointed that I don't get to go HOME yet."
Perhaps my friends disease, or my problems, or your _____ (fill in the blank) problem should serve as just a way of reminding all of us that we don't really live here.
Jesus wanted us to have Joy here on this earth. We have strength to see us through, and we SHOULD pray for healing! I just think that part of that joy is in our hope for the real future we have in Christ.
Let's not lose sight of the real goal.
Tim
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