Body: Today was the second of six chemo treatments. I arrived about 8:30 am and left about 3:00 pm. Some of that was "wait" time between blood drawing, waiting for results, getting the chemo ready, etc. All went very smoothly...they got a good vein on the first try! I did notice that my hair is starting to go...really fast. I'll be a cue ball by Sunday...should be an interesting day!
Spirit: Isaiah 60:22 "In His Time"
This chapter describes the glory that Israel will one day know. The splendor and blessing that will be poured out are breathtaking. Israel has known so much pain, rejection and despair (vs 15)...but God says a day will come when that will no longer be the case (millennium)! The very presence and glory of the Lord will be their light and blessing (vs 19-21). As the chapter closes God says, "I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly." Centuries have come and gone but there is no fulfillment of this...nor is it at all in sight today. But God says it WILL happen, and when it does, it will happen swiftly.
Isn't God like that in our lives as well? We wait, fret, think...and then He acts with amazing speed. I think of the hour long TV program and see I am 47 minutes into it with no possible solution in sight. And then, in the last 3 minutes, it all falls into place (and they live happily ever after).
The Lord is the master of timing for my life. When I fret because things aren't happening fast enough, I "push" Him and inevitably mess things up. I waste precious time, energy, resources, lose my joy and question my loving Creator. Let's face it, I'm a control freak! I want a timetable and a schedule. I want things to go uniformly so that I feel comfortable.
And He says to me, "Grow, Dave, trust, wait! I know what I'm doing."
I don't know if I'll ever get that one down fully, but the lesson in that phrase is so powerful for me, "...in its time I will do this swiftly." He goes according to His plan and when the time is right, He can and will act with lightning speed.
"Lord, I do struggle so much with Your time schedule. It "ought" to be more uniform and predictable! I praise You for Your sovereignty, Your absolute control...and that You exercise that sovereignty in grace and love in dealing with weak but determined and impetuous lumps of clay. Help me to trust Your timing in all things...especially with the challenge I face right now."
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Previous "Points Along The Road"
Body:
It was July 2007 when I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a slow growing cancer of the lymph system. CT scans every 3-4 months revealed little or no change until September 2009. At that point four infusions of Rituxan effectively treated the cancer as revealed by a December CT scan. A follow-up CT scan on March 3 revealed that the disease had progressed rapidly and in an uncharacteristic manner. A biopsy was scheduled for March 9 and by March 12 the doctor confirmed that the cancer was aggressive and would need to be treated aggressively.
After a heart test on March 15, the first chemo treatment took place on March 16. This was to be the first of what will be six treatments fourteen days apart followed by a week of intensive chemo.
Spirit: (From my journal March 16, the first day of chemo )
Isaiah 49:23 "Hope Does Not Disappoint" (the title of this blog)
What an incredible gem is placed in this text. I'm reading along and WHAM! There it is. What a promise: confidence placed in God is rewarded. Trust in God is never a mistake. It is general enough to apply broadly but specific in its result. He doesn't say what He will do in each situation, but we won't be disappointed. That's so consistent with His character and the "exceeding abundant" provision He promises (Eph 3:20-21).
It is also consistent with His sovereignty. This "better than expected" result doesn't occur by chance or because of a last minute scramble. No, it occurs because He is intimately involved in every detail of life (see Isa 49:1-6). The outcome is better because the knowledge and preparation BY GOD are better.
Why wouldn't a person be willing to trust One who can make that kind of promise?
I have a specific issue in mind as I live out this day. Today chemo begins. My hope is in the Lord for so much more than the physical outcome. It includes my family growth, my character growth, the staff growth, the leadership team and church growth. While I do care deeply about the physical results, my heart sees so much more...and He will NOT disappoint!
"Thank you, Lord, for the chance to live this day and face these challenges with hope because I am your child. And Lord, I trust it all to you and wait for your promise to be fulfilled. I know I will not be disappointed. In Jesus' name I pray this, Amen."
It was July 2007 when I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a slow growing cancer of the lymph system. CT scans every 3-4 months revealed little or no change until September 2009. At that point four infusions of Rituxan effectively treated the cancer as revealed by a December CT scan. A follow-up CT scan on March 3 revealed that the disease had progressed rapidly and in an uncharacteristic manner. A biopsy was scheduled for March 9 and by March 12 the doctor confirmed that the cancer was aggressive and would need to be treated aggressively.
After a heart test on March 15, the first chemo treatment took place on March 16. This was to be the first of what will be six treatments fourteen days apart followed by a week of intensive chemo.
Spirit: (From my journal March 16, the first day of chemo )
Isaiah 49:23 "Hope Does Not Disappoint" (the title of this blog)
What an incredible gem is placed in this text. I'm reading along and WHAM! There it is. What a promise: confidence placed in God is rewarded. Trust in God is never a mistake. It is general enough to apply broadly but specific in its result. He doesn't say what He will do in each situation, but we won't be disappointed. That's so consistent with His character and the "exceeding abundant" provision He promises (Eph 3:20-21).
It is also consistent with His sovereignty. This "better than expected" result doesn't occur by chance or because of a last minute scramble. No, it occurs because He is intimately involved in every detail of life (see Isa 49:1-6). The outcome is better because the knowledge and preparation BY GOD are better.
Why wouldn't a person be willing to trust One who can make that kind of promise?
I have a specific issue in mind as I live out this day. Today chemo begins. My hope is in the Lord for so much more than the physical outcome. It includes my family growth, my character growth, the staff growth, the leadership team and church growth. While I do care deeply about the physical results, my heart sees so much more...and He will NOT disappoint!
"Thank you, Lord, for the chance to live this day and face these challenges with hope because I am your child. And Lord, I trust it all to you and wait for your promise to be fulfilled. I know I will not be disappointed. In Jesus' name I pray this, Amen."
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