I've been thinking a lot about hope lately. Can't really say that it was totally by choice. When my life took an unexpected turn just over 5 months ago, I was forced to think about if what I said I believed really was true... and I have never been the same since that moment. Like an anchor to a ship in stormy seas, the hope of heaven has kept me in place amidst one of life's greatest tempests. That doesn't mean I haven't been shaken. That doesn't mean I haven't doubted or wanted to give up at times. But it does mean that I have not despaired, because this isn't the end of my story.
In this morning's sermon, Pastor Coffey preached about a living hope. I Peter 1:3-7 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, through now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith -more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Joe's summary of the passage was something to the effect of "the story ends well." Upon hearing this, my heart leaped and I wanted to start cheering! That is exactly what I have been trying to articulate in every blog entry leading up to this point; I've just rambled and fumbled around different ways of saying it. In my understanding, this is what it is all about for those who claim to know Christ. Jesus' resurrection and victory over death sealed the deal and now our future is set. Safe. Secure. Guaranteed. That is more than enough to completely upend your perspective and way of living. And it is so contagious to this hopeless world that is desperately scratching and clawing for something to cling to.
God made this world very good, but we fell very far from His original intentions. In this sad state, there is some pretty rough stuff that can happen. The most tragic things that the world could possible throw at us like murder, disease, rape, death, or or all kinds of injustice are enough to derail some people for good. But when you have living hope, you can still bless His name... because the story ends well. When you have living hope, you can continue to find purpose in your life, despite unspeakable pain... because the story ends well. When you have living hope, you continue to read, even if this particular chapter is gloomy... because the story ends well.
We know that the story ends well because God has promised it in His word and because Jesus validated it through His death and resurrection. Everybody loves a good story that is full of drama, plots twists, and victory, but it's hard when you're the main character. Rest in the assurance that God is a brilliant author. He is writing a completely unique masterpiece in and through your life that will result in His praise and glory. I only pray that when all of this takes place, my story was one in which hope emanated from every single chapter.
This particular chapter in my life has been a difficult one to soldier through; it's entitled "Hodgkin's Lymphoma." But I'm excited to keep reading because I looked ahead to the last chapter... it's called "Jesus Wins."
Excited to Keep Reading,
MH
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
When Bad News Comes...
Had to re-post this. It's another in-your-face reminder of some great truth from Charles Spurgeon.
"He is not afraid of bad news." (Psalm 112:7)
Christian, you ought not to be afraid of the arrival of bad news; because if you are distressed by such, you are no different from other men. They do not have your God to run to; they have never proved His faithfulness as you have done, and it is no wonder if they are bowed down with alarm and cowed with fear. But you profess to be of another spirit; you have been born again to a living hope, and your heart lives in heaven and not on earthly things. If you are seen to be distracted as other men, what is the value of that grace that you profess to have received? Where is the dignity of that new nature that you claim to possess?
Again, if you should be filled with alarm like others, you would no doubt be led into the sins so common to them under trying circumstances. The ungodly, when they are overtaken by bad news, rebel against God; they murmur and maintain that God has dealt harshly with them. Will you fall into that same sin? Will you provoke the Lord as they do?
Moreover, unconverted men often run to wrong means in order to escape from difficulties, and you will be sure to do the same if your mind yields to the present pressure. Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Your wisest course is to do what Moses did at the Red Sea: "Stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord." For if you give way to fear when you hear bad news, you will be unable to meet the trouble with that calm composure that prepares for duty and sustains in adversity. How can you glorify God if you play the coward? Saints have often sung God's high praises in the fires, but when you act as if there were no one to help, will your doubting and despondency magnify the Most High? Then take courage and, relying in sure confidence upon the faithfulness of your covenant God, "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
Trying to be brave,
MH
"He is not afraid of bad news." (Psalm 112:7)
Christian, you ought not to be afraid of the arrival of bad news; because if you are distressed by such, you are no different from other men. They do not have your God to run to; they have never proved His faithfulness as you have done, and it is no wonder if they are bowed down with alarm and cowed with fear. But you profess to be of another spirit; you have been born again to a living hope, and your heart lives in heaven and not on earthly things. If you are seen to be distracted as other men, what is the value of that grace that you profess to have received? Where is the dignity of that new nature that you claim to possess?
Again, if you should be filled with alarm like others, you would no doubt be led into the sins so common to them under trying circumstances. The ungodly, when they are overtaken by bad news, rebel against God; they murmur and maintain that God has dealt harshly with them. Will you fall into that same sin? Will you provoke the Lord as they do?
Moreover, unconverted men often run to wrong means in order to escape from difficulties, and you will be sure to do the same if your mind yields to the present pressure. Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Your wisest course is to do what Moses did at the Red Sea: "Stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord." For if you give way to fear when you hear bad news, you will be unable to meet the trouble with that calm composure that prepares for duty and sustains in adversity. How can you glorify God if you play the coward? Saints have often sung God's high praises in the fires, but when you act as if there were no one to help, will your doubting and despondency magnify the Most High? Then take courage and, relying in sure confidence upon the faithfulness of your covenant God, "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
Trying to be brave,
MH
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Flickers of Light
Although I've never been stuck in a cave, I've seen enough "Man vs. Wild" type shows to know the joy that sweeps over a hiker stuck in a cave when he sees little slivers of light cut through the blackness. The light is hope. It is the hint that the end that is near. And it quickly blots out the previous and current struggles that brought you to the present place in time.
Today was one such experience for me. The CT scan that I had last week yielded that I would need more chemotherapy, but we didn't know how much. Upon meeting with the doctor today, things became much clearer as he gave us an end to look forward to. The remainder of my treatment schedule should look like this...
- 2 more months of chemo (3 treatments after today)
- 3 week break to recover
- 3 weeks of radiation
- Anticipation of being wrapped up by the end of November
Today was a tough treatment day. I sought to christen this fall season with a Spiced Pumpkin Latte from Starbucks, but that didn't stay down too long and I was dead tired. This experience has been the toughest thing I have ever done, but typing out that remainder of the treatment schedule puts a fresh burst of wind in my sails, even though there is another 3 months left to go. I can see the finish line in the distance and you can bet that I'll be in a full out sprint physically, emotionally, and spiritually until I finish.
There is short time on the clock and I don't plan on wasting it.
Making the most of what's left,
MH
Today was one such experience for me. The CT scan that I had last week yielded that I would need more chemotherapy, but we didn't know how much. Upon meeting with the doctor today, things became much clearer as he gave us an end to look forward to. The remainder of my treatment schedule should look like this...
- 2 more months of chemo (3 treatments after today)
- 3 week break to recover
- 3 weeks of radiation
- Anticipation of being wrapped up by the end of November
Today was a tough treatment day. I sought to christen this fall season with a Spiced Pumpkin Latte from Starbucks, but that didn't stay down too long and I was dead tired. This experience has been the toughest thing I have ever done, but typing out that remainder of the treatment schedule puts a fresh burst of wind in my sails, even though there is another 3 months left to go. I can see the finish line in the distance and you can bet that I'll be in a full out sprint physically, emotionally, and spiritually until I finish.
There is short time on the clock and I don't plan on wasting it.
Making the most of what's left,
MH
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