Another friend passed from the disease about ten years
later, and while she didn’t leave us any specific message to be read regarding
her situation, those who knew her could picture her relieved that her painful
journey was over.
Not long ago I learned another friend has this
affliction. She’s a strong woman who
loves the Lord, people, cares about the world she lives in and gives of herself
unselfishly. The news, it matters not
how often I hear it, always breaks my heart.
The word “cancer” in some ways is like hearing a “curse word” given the
way it affects my ears---and my heart! It creates a
battle not only for my friend, but for those who want nothing more than to
spare her of the battle she is sure to endure.
I’ve wondered how I’d react if I were told I had a
terminal disease. Since cancer runs in
my family, I’ve accepted the possibility that I may contract this vicious
illness. The doctor says outright that I
am at high risk. I usually just try not
to think about it and attempt to retain a positive attitude. Will that save me from the problem? Probably not, but it’s, in my view, the only
way I can deal what might happen.
Besides, why borrow trouble and put myself in a pit of despair of
something that hasn’t even happened…..yet!
How must Jesus have felt knowing he was going to die a
cruel death? His feelings must have been
intensified with the knowledge he would have to travel this road alone. Even his disciples would desert him. Despite these things, He also knew it was his
Father’s will. What a great love He had
for us.
It’s
Christmas. God gave his Son to reconcile
his people to him; and did it in such a way many people waiting for the blessed
event, missed it. Jesus left his throne
in Glory and willingly came as a tiny baby to be the salvation of the world! I can’t even imagine what that must have been
like! Imagine--- Jesus;---
God; --- God’s Son ---- became a human child, carried inside a mortal
woman to be both man and God! And we
have the Holy Spirt---who is also part of the Triune God with Jesus, who had not yet been revealed to the world, was given to us by Jesus before he returned to the
throne as a means for comfort and guidance when He would no longer be
here.
Intermingled with the loneliness and pain Jesus must have
felt when he went to the cross, there was also joy and peace that comes with
acceptance. He knew he was giving his
life for us. What an incredible act of
love, this man, Jesus demonstrated. What
an incredible act of love our God demonstrated. He gave us the greatest
Christmas present ever possible. Can we
do less than give our hearts in return?
This must be the greatest Christmas gift God can receive!
No comments:
Post a Comment