Last week I returned home from Emory and am slowly joining the land of the living. Thank you so much for every prayer, kind thought, card, and word of encouragement. I go to the clinic every other day where they check my blood and vitals. Next week I am to see a cardiologist, as they are concerned my heart has been impacted by all the trauma of this process. I’m thankful for the doctors and nurses and techs… but I need more.
The first Sunday I was in the hospital, my son, Taylor, brought the message I needed. He and his girlfriend, Emma, had heard the testimony of a young pastor at an active church in the city. As Taylor talked, I thought, “This sure sounds familiar,” then I remembered that this pastor’s wife was one of my basketball players from a few years back. Once she had asked me to pray about a huge career decision to be made as they finished their time at the university. The offer seemed beyond spectacular… large company, incredible position, great pay, grand future… The problem was there were many opportunities for compromise. The question in both their hearts was: Could we get this position and be on top of the world while ignoring and even offending God? I was so proud those many years ago when my basketball player said, “Coach Davis, We just couldn’t do it. No matter what the money or so-called ‘security,’ we knew we would not be walking in faith. God wouldn’t be leading our lives.” So they said ‘no’ and eventually accepted a leadership position at a start-up church in the city. The impact they have had on souls in Atlanta these past several years are immeasurable. Don’t you love God’s ways?
So Taylor is sharing this story in my hospital room and he tells me he’s not reached the main point yet. For several mornings he had been texting me Scriptures, until I lost my phone by sending it out with the laundry (it turned up in Rome, GA four weeks later). He asked, “Remember that verse I gave you from Isaiah about wings like eagles?” “Yes, look at the nice eagle Kinsey drew on the nurse’s ‘whiteboard’ with those words underneath. And Karlyn, seeing that my hair was falling out, wrote ‘Bald Eagle’ above the head, just to make sure there was no confusion.” “Well,” Taylor continued, “the powerful message is in the preceding verses. This is my hope and Emma’s hope and your hope and everyone’s hope!”
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” – Isaiah 40:28
“I’m a little slow, son, explain it to me.”
“Dad, it is all in the ‘WHO.’ We often concentrate on the lesser words. ‘WHEN’ I graduate, then I’ll be ready for life. No, I’ve got to focus on ‘WHO’ is leading me in college day by day. Or, ‘WHAT’ are they doing to you in this hospital to get you well? You’ve got to focus on ‘WHO’ is with you, strengthening you, comforting you. Or Emma may think, ”HOW’ am I going to get to this place in my career when there are so many people ahead of me?’ But she must simply concentrate on ‘WHO’ got her the job and honor Him in all she does and trust Him completely.”
“Taylor, this is so simple, but profound. Will you thank the preacher and give his wife a hug? Will you remind me of this truth when I am in pain and tend to forget? Will you live like this and encourage Emma and all your friends to keep this focus? It will mean we will trust God and honor Him… and love Him. And look at the promise He gives?”
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31