Susan looked at me on Sunday and whispered, “That message was for you.” We’ve probably all had a spouse or loved one tell us to perk up because God is telling us something, but it is a bit strange when the lesson is coming from your own child. As Taylor shared about his trip, I realized that God had taught our son some valuable truths in Cambodia. Everyone enjoyed hearing about the orphans the missionaries served and the Buddhists that were interested in hearing about Jesus. But Taylor said the main thing God kept showing him was that he had to persevere.
“I was so sick four days that I could not even get out of bed. All I could do was read my Bible and I kept running across these verses that told me to persevere. I also saw that we should rejoice in hard times. I can’t explain I it, but I had peace even though I felt horrible.”
Right now, I’m in the middle of shots that are to bring stem cells from my bone marrow into my blood stream. This drug makes my bones ache and the days ahead don’t look any better. Monday they will begin to check my blood to see if enough stem cells are present. When the count is good they will insert a double-line catheter into an artery in my neck and begin collection. Basically my blood goes out one line into a machine that captures the stem cells then the blood is sent back into my body through the other line. Five years ago it took three days to get enough stem cells for a transplant. I guess we’ll see what happens this week.
I’ve read all the Scriptures Taylor shared on Sunday. I’ve often written and talked about perseverance and the peace of God. Taylor has heard me teach many of these things over the past few years. But I realized Sunday that his message was not just a repeat of things he had been taught. He spoke with a type of certainty because he had embraced God’s Word and God had shown him that what He says is true. We know that what God says is true, but there are times we must embrace His Word and say, “OK Lord, this is for me. I accept it.” This past week I talked to many people who are suffering. Some trials are so intense I don’t see how they go on. But I know there is a peace that surpasses anything the world can understand. This peace can guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. I pray God will give us the grace to persevere and I pray His joy will be our strength.
“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7