Lance Armstrong is on the cover of the latest issue of CURE magazine. Winner of seven consecutive Tour de France cycling events, Armstrong has been an able spokesman for survivors since completing aggressive treatment for testicular cancer in December of 1996. His book, IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE, has encouraged thousands to never give up when facing adversity. 55 million LIIVESTRONG plastic bracelets have been sold with proceeds going to fight cancer. “Wherever I go”, he said recently, “I talk about cancer – the one thing that is going to affect all of us.” I am thankful for Lance Armstrong’s efforts and for his desire to wipe out cancer, but as I prepare for another bout with this disease, I often think of the obvious dilemma that even a cure won’t solve.
I’ve always been one of the youngest members of the Atlanta support group for multiple myeloma. As different treatments are discussed and exciting advancements are proclaimed, I can’t help but look at the some of the elderly members of the group and think, “But even if the cure is found, you’re going to die pretty soon.” And then I look at myself and think, “And you’re not going to escape death, either.” Of course we’d all like a cure for cancer, but even such an accomplishment will only be short-lived. We don’t hear too many people going around saying, “Wherever I go, I talk about death – the one thing that is going to affect all of us.”
I love the Lance Armstrong comeback story, but Lance will face God one day…. so will you… so will I. What will be most important then? The vast majority of the people that have lived on earth have been dead longer than they were alive. So what’s important now? Jim Elliot’s famous quote is timeless: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim wrote these words as a college student in 1949. He died while taking the Gospel to Ecuador in 1956.
I want to live strong, but what does that mean for the child of God? He’s given me this day. What do I do with it? I am facing a trial. Do I face it with courage or do I shrink in fear? Through God’s grace, I’ve been saved. Do I thank Him and spread the good news or do I take it for granted and keep Jesus to myself? The devil is trying to steal and destroy. Do I resist him and fight in faith or do I wither and doubt? Jesus beckons me to pick up my cross daily and follow Him. Do I listen and obey or do I ignore His voice?
If anyone should live strong, the Christian should. But do we? As we face struggles, we shouldn’t live like the unsaved on earth. While things are going well, we shouldn’t live like the unsaved on earth. Whether we die or whether Jesus returns, our days are numbered. He has Kingdom purposes for us; so live strong.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Eph 6:10-13