Sunday is here....

 

Garden Tomb 2022

I've undergone the biopsy, and now I find myself in the anxious waiting period for the results. It's a time when your mind can't help but run through all the possible scenarios, leading you down countless rabbit holes of what-ifs. As I lay awake, unable to sleep—a departure from my usual nature—I confess openly: I tend to be a bit of a control freak. It's one of my many shortcomings, a sin, if you will. I refuse to be caught off guard by unexpected twists of fate; I strive to be prepared for anything. Over the years, I've learned that keeping my thoughts in check and staying occupied is one way to manage this anxiety. So, I turn to Mr. Google and Miss YouTube, seeking to understand fully the potential diagnoses, treatment options, and outcomes that may lie ahead.

But amidst the flurry of information-seeking, I find myself drawn to a more fundamental practice: prayer. Sometimes, I'm at a loss for words, though my health naturally weighs heavy on my mind. There's only so much one can discuss with God on that front. So, I broaden my focus, praying for all the people in my life who need support: those in need of protection, those who are lost or struggling, those facing health challenges, the unemployed, the discouraged, the oppressed. Theologically, I understand that God is in control of everything. Yet, in my heart, I struggle to relinquish a semblance of that control, a desire which borders on sinful.

I recognize that sin runs deeper than mere external actions; it resides in the innermost recesses of our hearts, shaping our motivations, desires, and ultimately, our actions. Our hearts reflect who we are, and what's within them inevitably spills out into our words and deeds. Therefore, it's crucial to guard our hearts diligently, for they are the wellspring of life.

Without Christ, our hearts turn inward, consumed by self-worship and driven by selfish desires. But in the essence of Christmas lies the hope of Easter—a hope that transforms our lives and offers us a new birth into the fullness of who we were created to be. We were fashioned to worship and commune with a Creator who knows us intimately, who has already planned our futures before we even took our first steps.

In moments of uncertainty, like being told we may have cancer, we can find solace in the arms of a loving Father and the support of a caring community. We can trust that God has already taken care of every detail; our task is simply to turn to Him in faith, relying on His grace and mercy. In doing so, we find freedom from the internal battles that rage within us.

For now, I've received good news, but regardless of the outcome, I'm comforted by the knowledge that my future is secure in the hands of a faithful Father. My focus shifts from myself to Him, trusting in His provision and guidance. For this is the reason for Easter. It is a reminder Jesus came to restore our relationship with our Father and Creator.

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23.