Recently someone passed a note on to me that they received from a common friend. It said...
It was almost fifteen minutes later when I realized that this guy they were talking about was me. Funny thing is that it never occurred to me that fighting ECD was part of my testimony, or that this was in any way a trial. It certainly never occurred to me that people might be watching how I respond to my disease from the perspective of my faith. I simply take one day at a time and do the best I can.
However, if people are watching me then the same must be true for you as well. I know the notion that you might be responsibly for someone's life, joy, or salvation sounds like an enormous undertaking but you can do it. Trust me, you'll soon forget anyone is even watching at all.
I read it and thought this poor guy that has something horrible happening in his life. I then thought, I hope his faith holds strong...it seems like a lot of people are going to be affected by the way this guy responds to the issues in his life (then I did a quick prayer for him)."We continue to pray for his healing. God has a special plan for him and He will use all that is happening in his life as a testimony to God. So many people will draw closer to our Lord through watching this experience in his life and how his faith holds him strong and centered in God’s will."
It was almost fifteen minutes later when I realized that this guy they were talking about was me. Funny thing is that it never occurred to me that fighting ECD was part of my testimony, or that this was in any way a trial. It certainly never occurred to me that people might be watching how I respond to my disease from the perspective of my faith. I simply take one day at a time and do the best I can.
However, if people are watching me then the same must be true for you as well. I know the notion that you might be responsibly for someone's life, joy, or salvation sounds like an enormous undertaking but you can do it. Trust me, you'll soon forget anyone is even watching at all.
Brad,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blog; I check it almost every day.
I thought I would reply after reading the second-to-last sentence in the January 24, 2014 post. You write, “I know the notion that you might be responsibly for someone's life, joy, or salvation sounds like an enormous undertaking but you can do it.”
I don’t think I’m responsible for other people’s salvation; I’m not even responsible for my own. Thank God!
Salvation is not something for which we have to work. Salvation is a gift from the gracious and loving God.
“For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” (1 Tim 4:10)
Knowing we are saved, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, knowing God’s abundant love for you and for me, we are freed to live as God calls us to live. Each of us is called, in our own way, to help those in need, to work for justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.
Know that you and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Shalom,
Dave