In today's post I have both a word of encouragement and a prayer request. First, the encouragement.
As I breathed life into me this morning, I again realized just how precious the peace of Christ is. It helps believers navigate the challenges of life without being overwhelmed. It offers comfort during difficult times. It reassures them of God's presence and love. It allows them to remain calm and serene even when facing an unknown future. This peace is not the absence of adversity. It is a deep-seated harmony that permeates the believer's relationship with God. It is both a gift to be received and a state of mind to be actively pursued.
In Col. 3:15, Paul exhorts believers, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." There's something important here that many people miss. The expression "Let ... rule" is in the Greek imperative mood. This mood is used to express commands, making it a fundamental part of the language's grammar. Paul's point is that the peace of Christ doesn't just happen. It's never a part of our lives automatically. Just because we are Christ's doesn't mean we will be at peace. We must let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. And when we do that, it is remarkable how the Lord comes to our assistance and drives out the worry, the panic, the fear. But it is your decision. It is my decision.
Occasionally I'll get an email from someone who says, "Your blog post today was written just for me." I usually reply, "I blogged on something I needed to hear and I just let you listen in." That may surprise you. I too have my fretting place. I too have things to worry about. I too face an unknown future. I've got situations in my life that I can't fix. You've got situations in your life that you can't fix. But we can turn ourselves over to someone who can. And whenever we do this, the Lord gives to us the peace his Son had. Jesus said, "It is my very own peace that I am giving to you" (John 14:27). Just think about that. Never once do we read that during his 33 years on this earth Jesus worried, or panicked, or was afraid, despite all he faced, all the attacks, all the criticisms. And he says, "I want you to have that kind of peace. It's yours for the taking. Let it rule in your hearts so that you are no longer stressed by panic and fear." We might paraphrase Paul's words in Col. 3:15 as follows: "Invite the peace that comes from Christ to govern your mind, calm down every agitation of your soul, and subdue the tumult of worry."
I suggest we start each day doing this. Say, "Today, Lord, I've, got a situation I have to face. And I can't face it in myself. So I'm going to rely on you. And I'm going to leave my situation with you. I am not going to ruin my day by worrying about what I've been dreading. I'm going to stop the worry and leave it with you. I accept the peace of Christ, the peace that accompanied him all the way to the cross without one word of bitterness and complaint." You can have that kind of peace. I can have that kind of peace.
And now for the prayer request.
I spent yesterday in the ER with what I assumed to be a case of exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis. I had just had a very intense workout. When you push your muscles too hard, your muscle fibers break down and release a toxic protein called myoglobin into your bloodstream. In high amounts, this protein can damage your kidneys and turn your urine into a dark brown color. This rapid breakdown of muscle tissue can be life-threatening.
The ER doctor put me on an IV drip and then ran a whole series of blood tests. Thankfully, I did not have rhabdomyolysis. My kidneys were fine. Almost as an afterthought, the doctor ordered a CT scan of my pelvis. A half hour later, he returned to my room with a serious look on his face. He told me that most of my vital organs were in good working condition. This included my liver, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen. The scan, however, had revealed a "13mm bladder wall nodule." On the report, the radiologist had added, "Neoplasm is not excluded." This is doctor-speak for "cancer is not excluded." An immediate urologic workup was recommended.
After I left the ER I made a beeline for my urologist's office, seeking an appointment as soon as possible. Usually his practice is backed up for months, but almost miraculously the attendant was able to schedule me for a cystoscopy in two weeks. This will do what a CT scan cannot do -- determine whether the nodule in my bladder is benign or not. I truly believe that God is already using the discovery of this lump for good. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Lord will use this process in my life to grow in grace and to potentially help and encourage others in the future as I begin this new adventure. I treasure your encouragement and prayers! Please pray for the following requests:
That the Lord will be with the urologist and his staff as they attend to me.
That I will have the wisdom to know how to navigate this situation.
That the outcome of the cystoscopy would be benign if it's the Lord will.
That I will stay steady and strong whatever the diagnosis is.
That I will experience peace in my Lord.
Thank you!
Permit me to conclude with a true story. On this day in 1863, Union General George Meade wrote his wife Margaret a long letter. Rumor had it that he was being talked about as Joseph Hooker's replacement as the head of the Army of the Potomac. Meade's wife fretted that her husband would be thrust into this unenviable position. In his letter, Meade told her not to worry. Yes, he had a fine military record, but other men were far more competent than him. "For these reasons I have never indulged in any dreams of ambition, content to await events, and do my duty in the sphere it pleases God to place me in," he wrote, "and I realize that it would be as well for you to take the same philosophical view."
Two days later, Hooker was relieved and Meade received strict orders to take command of the army. Meade protested. The decision had been made, however. Meade had no choice but to obey orders. "Well, I've been tried and condemned without a hearing and I suppose I shall have to go to my execution," said Meade. Three days later, the greatest battle in Civil War history would take place at a country crossroads called Gettysburg. The unlikely commander, balding and beaky with big pouches under his eyes, assumed a duty that had been thrust upon him. Less than a week later, Meade sent Lee and his troops packing.
A good Christian man accepts his lot in life as God defines it. He does not resist it. He does not complain. He vows to do his best whatever results might eventuate. "I am going straight at them, and will settle this thing one way or the other," Meade wrote his wife the day after he assumed command. "The men are in good spirits, we have been reinforced so as to have equal numbers with the enemy and with God's help I hope to be successful. Good-by!" That is my desire as well. With God's help, may I do my duty as God defines it until the day he takes me home.
Will you pray with me?
Father, our hearts go out to those who hurt today. We pray you will give them extra strength as they face an uncertain future. Come alongside them, our Father, and may your Spirit bring to them divine assistance and peace in dealing with the hardships and uncertainties of life. Prepare all of us, Heavenly Father, for these days ahead, whatever they may bring. And Father, we ask that you would give us the kind of strength we need to face the challenges of life, whether it be cancer or some other disease or dealing with the adults or children in our lives or problems with others that seem so complicated to us whereas you know the answer to each one. We ask that we will walk with you in such a way that we please you and fulfill your wishes for our lives. In tough times, hard times, difficult times, may we experience not only the peace that the Holy Spirit gives us but also his love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming into our lives and giving us the strength to live as we've always wanted to live as we move from earth to heaven, transformed by the power of the Spirit of God. May the truth of Col. 3:15 become a reality in our lives, even the peace that Christ himself offers us.