Every once in awhile you run across something that is so good that you just have to share it. I have been reading Torn by Jud Wilhite the past couple of days. The whole theme of trust has been running rings inside my brain (and yes there is a lot of room for it to do so) and after reading a section of Jud’s book I wanted to share it with you. Hope you don’t mind.
Tony Snow was a cable news anchor (FOX) and former press secretary for President “W.” He was diagnosed with colon cancer. He shared about moving past the why questions in faith.
“We shouldn’t spend too much time trying to answer the why questions: Why me? Why must people suffer? Why can’t someone else get sick? We can’t answer such things, and the questions themselves often are designed more to express our anguish than to solicit an answer.
I don’t know why I have cancer, and I don’t much care. It is what it is-a plain and indisputable fact…Our maladies define a central feature of our existence: We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies just give out.
But despite this-because of it-God offers the possibility of salvation and grace. We don’t know how the narrative of our lives will end, but we get to choose how we use the interval between now and the moment we meet our Creator face-to-face.” (p.70-71)
Though we all desire a trouble-free life, Tony reminds us that sometimes “God likes to go off-road.” Trusting God when He decides to go “off-road” is the tough time. That is when the enemy will tempt us to think that God is powerless or loveless. He will try to convince us with false evidence that God has abandoned us. I was reminded of that this morning when I read Psalm 100 while working on a Thanksgiving sermon. “We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Knowing the love and care the shepherd gave his sheep was a reassuring point for me, since it is talking about God’s shepherding of me. Just as the sheep totally relied on (read: trusted) the shepherd, I need to do the same…NO MATTER WHAT!! (The noise you are hearing is the sound of my head against the wall because I do forget that so easily).
You may or may not want to comment. Feel free to do so if so inclined. I just feel someone needed to hear this today (besides me). 🙂
Sometimes biblical comfort food is even better when shared amongst friends. Dig in.
Very true Daniel.
Thank you, Bill!
Good and comforting words for those of us who like to go “off road” too!
I get myself into more trouble and others help me, as well. And then come the wages of my sin.
But, of course, the Lord raises us up again, each time we go under. And He will do it for the last time when our earthly bodies fail us for the last time.
What a great God we have!
You’re welcome Steve. I need reassurance from time to time as well.
Hi Bill,
God has been very good. Not because all things have gone well in my life, but because he provides. I tend to agree that some sickness is simply the fact that our bodies are getting older. Some sickness seems to be related to consequences for treating the things of God so lightly and carefree. Especially as believers.
I think one of the most difficult things to trust and get around in our heads is that God does not need money. Money is what the world trusts. How many of us believers would choose alot of money over trust in God? Nearly all of us at this time(myself included). And yet we have seen in year 2008/2009 that many people lost up to 30% of their retirement portfolio because of the financial crisis of the banks. It is possible for us to lose 100% of our retirement portfolio or our bank accounts at any time.
Money is not our security, prayer, reading the Bible and relationship with God is. Let’s keep going.
Agree with you about the sickness but not sure where the money reference comes from. Hope your new job is going well for you.
I think maybe Linda is saying that our security is in Christ, not in material things.
I can buy that.
Hi Bill,
So far my new job is going well. I am working as a PUF aide in a day care center. I think that I was basically signed on as a permanent employee today. Yeah!
The story of how we live our life is valuable and rich. Tony’s words show a depth of character I admire. Thanks for sharing a part of his story.
The preaching that this world needs most is the sermons in shoes that are walking with Jesus Christ.” D.L. Moody
thanks for the quote Jay. Moody spoke truth for sure.
When a man is in that phase of life and responds in such a faithful way, it is uplifting. We all need to be reminded that our lives are but a vapor. Here today gone tomorrow. What will our legacy be? Tony’s quote is a good reminder of that. May our Father give all of us His peace and grace when we get our turn…
I knew he had died gracefully but didn’t know this about him. It sure is uplifting. Totally agree with your last line.
I was wondering what that noise was! 🙂 I, too, forget this easily. Sounds like a book I would enjoy!
Funny funny Eileen. 🙂 Can’t say I know where you live cuz I don’t, but can say, “I know where you write.” Torn has been a good book.
THANK YOU Bill! I am going to read Psalm 100. Yours is the 2nd thing I’ve read today to reassure me as I feel like God is going off the road for someone I love.
hang on then Jan! He may take you with HIM. 😛
I think it’s a message that God wants me to hear, because the theme has been nipping at my heals over the past month or so. Thanks!
Glad I could be used to be heel-nipper. 🙂
I am loving the term “off road”. Thank you for helping us navigate and trust Him in the torn moments of our lives! God bless!
Glad I can be used as He has spoken to me. Thanks Deb
Thanks Bill. This hits a homer!
Appreciate that Ed. How is your mom doing?
The noise of your head against the wall was echoed by mine. I’m guilty of forgetting this as well. Many, many, many, many times I’ve had to recite Romans 8:28 to myself and remind myself that he does all things for my good – even if it seems crazy to think that some circumstances could ever POSSIBLY work out for my good.
Sometimes reciting that over and over is the key. Never hurts to be reminded.