The mountains surrounding Capetown, South Africa look barren from a distance. But climbing one on New Year’s Day revealed some hidden wonders of God’s creation. Plants grow on these mountains that are not found anywhere else in the world. At one place my brother pointed out a beautiful orange flower. “That bloom can only come out after a fire,” he informed me. We could see that, indeed, a fire had recently swept through the area. But there grew one of the brightest and prettiest flowers I have ever seen.
I know a beautiful family. Joe, Sybil, Ben, Matt, Pete, and Mary McReynolds have unselfishly served our family for a number of years. They have not just served me. It is rare to visit their home without meeting a person they are helping. I have often witnessed a beauty that can only come from the Father above. I am also aware of many fires that have swept through their lives.
Last week, Sybil learned that she has breast cancer – a type that is quite aggressive. As I sat in worship Sunday and watched tears stream down the faces of friends and family members, I wondered about the upcoming struggle. God hears our cries and understands our pain, but I don’t know what lies ahead. We know he is not surprised by the things that surprise us, but our human minds struggle to understand. I am praying and I ask you to pray that God will heal Sybil, but I have no clear word about our hurting bodies.
I will predict one thing: As this fire rages, rare beauty will start to appear. Refined and purified faith will rise in a family that already models faith to many. Honest, passionate prayers from thousands of people will be lifted to a Father of mercy and compassion. The wonderful love of God in the Body of Christ will surround and serve the wounded and hurting. And the Lord, Himself, will be a Refuge in the midst of the storm.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” II Corinthians 4:16-18