Fearless Faith
Waiting. Ugh. Waiting is not easy for some of us. We are the movers and shakers who set the tempo, call the plays, and execute the plans with leading-edge gusto. My lessons lately in the Divine School of Trust are designed to exercise and build a fearless faith in the One Who Sets All Things in Motion to Their Completion, aka, God Most High.
A busy two days of consultations, tests, questionnaires, measurements, and blood-letting at MD Anderson were a distraction from the emotions attached to the reality of a cancer diagnosis. The bottom line to defeat cancer is cut it out, cut it all out, then kill what may be left behind. So this Friday my surgery to do just that is scheduled and my consultation with the radiation oncologist this Monday will clue me in on any post-surgery killing that must be done. In my case, cutting out the bad will require piecing together the good that remains so I can breathe and talk, chew and swallow, and not be so disfigured that I can greet a passerby with a pleasant smile that doesn't trigger memories of Halloween. That's the goal, anyway.
A new believer might question why God would ask one he loves to go through this. I don't ask that question. At one time in my younger Christian life I did ask it often: "Why me, Lord?" Or "What have I done or not done to deserve this?" Whether it's childhood abuse, sexual abuse, relationship failure, miscarriage, and a myriad of other sicknesses, losses, and failed dreams, I know, without question, that God is not the giver of death or sickness or any other incomprehensible difficulty. Does He know and see all? Yes, He is El Roi. Does He permit trials and tribulations? Yes, He works together all things for our good (Romans 8:28). In spite of human difficulty in this world, He is victorious over death, and disease, and dashed dreams.
How do I know? Because every word in His Word is true. That means when He says in Isaiah 43, "I am God," He is and when He says, "I am with you," He is. Moreover, when He died for me, for my sin, it was His blood that was sacrificed to makes things right for me.
I deserved the wrath of God and condemnation because I was a sinner. Jesus, the perfect, spotless Son of God, took my punishment upon himself. God's plan of redemption is fulfilled through Jesus' love for me. 1 John 4:10 states, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Propitiation means satisfaction, paid in full, reconciled and in this case, with God the Father, forever. When we place our trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, believing in His grace gift of salvation, we are forever in a personal relationship with God Most High.
Fearless faith is founded on who God is. He is Holy. He is faithful. He is love. My faith in Him does not leave room for fear. Today, I pray you will join me in my fearless waiting as I stand on His Word in Psalm 27:
"Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!”
While I wait on the Lord, I'm taking Chris to the Butterfly House and to the movies. "Mission Impossible" is playing on the screen but "Mission Possible" is firmly in our hearts and lips! This Wildflower is blooming today. I hope you let God's love pour through you to others, too. He is here. All is well.
-Susan (of the Wildflowers)