A dozen of us gathered at my next door neighbor’s home last Thursday evening, the night before Dave was to have surgery for prostrate cancer. Ann, a nurse at Emory who shines out Jesus’ love and mercy everywhere she goes, opened a Bible and said she wanted to read something before we all prayed. The Spirit of God was in the room as these familiar words were read: “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 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. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Phil 4:4-8)
The blood report last week revealed this new chemo I’ve been taking is effective. Thanks for your prayers! It is easy to rejoice when you get a good report, but what about before you know the outcome of the surgery? How do you deal with all the unknowns without being anxious? How do you keep your mind on noble things while your world seems to be in chaos? You can’t… unless the Lord is near. The blessing of peace in a room of neighbors was not a result of good friendships, or an excellent nurse, or people who have experienced other trials… the peace was from God. To mention the word ‘rejoice’ in hard circumstances makes no sense to the world, but if the Lord is near, the child of God is living beyond this world.
I have another neighbor who’s been fighting leukemia for three years. He’s nineteen years old and a hero of mine. My son loves to fish with him, he’s an incredible tennis player, and he’s gotten more bad reports lately than good. Last month, no one knew whether David would live through a tough weekend. His mom sent out an e-mail that ran chills down every parent’s spine. “We’ve talked a lot about Heaven,” she wrote. Experiencing every emotion you can imagine, a godly mother helped her son think about pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy things. I saw her Sunday and she bravely smiled with tear-filled eyes as she shared the current struggle. David’s dad told me a few days ago that as hard as this trial has been on everyone, he understands a little more of what God did for us as His Son suffered on our behalf. This family may not feel it sometimes, but God is near. David is an overcomer… his gentleness is evident to all.
I hate cancer. I often hate the fact that painful things hit us on this earth with no understandable explanation. But I’m going to tell everyone there is still joy in the Lord. I’m going to say that when God is near, all things are possible. I’m going to tell everyone that God is love. I’m going to ask the Father to help us keep our eyes on the Good Shepherd as we listen to His gentle voice. Please pray for my neighbors.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23