Today has been a “Bungee Cord” kind of day. I sat in 2 different Hospital Rooms before lunchtime. One was on the Oncology Floor of a friend of mine who has been diagnosed with Stage 3/4 Cancer. The other was with a mom who was holding her 5 weeks premature newborn. Some serious emotions and thoughts entered into my head as I sat with both.
On the Oncology Floor – My friend is bound and determined to beat cancer! He has high spirits and giving his everything to do whatever necessary to “Kick Cancer in Nodes” (His saying, as the cancer is in his lymph nodes). I walked out in wonder…How would I be in that bed? Would I have the peace to face this the way he is? Would I have the confidence in FAITH and MEDICINE that he has? For I would not like to choose the bed he is lying in right now.
In the NICU – I sat with a precious little one and her mom, the peace and serenity that both of them had. Newborn sleeping against her mother, mother nestling this little life in the opening gates of this world. As I listened to the unfolding events of the prior 72 hours of intense medical procedures to guarantee this little one a fighting chance, not to mention helping the mother to stay alive. How would I be,watching my sons, my daughter, my wife lying in that bed? Would I have had the same peace, in the same situation? Would I have maintained the same trust in FAITH and MEDICINE? I would not have chosen this bed for the start of my own 3 children.
Back to the morning of this day – I started my drive to the hospital(s) this morning listening to a sermon by Pastor Michael Todd, (Click Peace Under Pressure to view)… Guess what his inspiration was all about… Peace and the Holy Spirit!
As he shared, and I have read and preached about countless times along the way…
John 16:31-33 (MSG)
Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
Well, the message for me was loud and clear… “Dan, be at PEACE! I got this!” – Jesus
I am not sure what bed you are lying in right now. Frankly, the beds we find ourselves lying in tend be overwhleming. I want to encourage you to lift yourself up and ask the “Comforter” (AKA…Greg – listen to the sermon above, Paraclete, Holy Spirit) to walk with you and lift what you cannot lift!
Guess what – He Will!