It’s time.

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This morning our pastor preached from the book of Ecclesiastes. He mentioned its reputation for being the most negative book in the Bible, partly due to multiple uses of the word “meaningless” in reference to life.

But there are a few bright spots, one of which is in chapter 3. Back in the 1960’s, a group called The Byrds sang a song written by Pete Seeger called “Turn, Turn, Turn.” It was a huge hit despite the lyrics coming straight from that chapter of Scripture.

Here’s verse 1:

The ByrdsTo everything, turn, turn, turn.
There is a season, turn, turn, turn.
And a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to be born, a time to die.
A time to plant, a time to reap.
A time to kill, a time to heal.
A time to laugh, a time to weep.

The tune has three more verses, each right from the Bible, and audiences screamed with delight when The Byrds sang it. Of course most of those concert-goers didn’t know they were singing God’s Word.

I remember reading Ecclesiastes 3 as a new widow, focusing on two specific couplets: “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” For anyone struggling with a life crisis or even just a big change, these words bring good news. When I was deeply grieving, they validated my tears and sadness. They also assured me I would eventually laugh again, and even dance. All of that was great comfort.

ChemoThose same couplets can be applied to Mary’s situation, as well as several others: a “time to kill and a time to heal” effectively  describes her chemo. Right now she’s in the kill-phase, taking in chemicals that are lethal to cancer cells. Eventually the killing will stop and the healing will begin, encouraging words when she’s suffering through chemotherapy.

Another couplet she has surely considered in recent weeks is, “a time to be born and a time to die.” I remember when Nate got his diagnosis. The two of us spoke about this truth in factual, non-emotional terms, and I heard Mary talk about it the same way, just after she’d heard the words pancreatic cancer.

The whole truth, however, is that all of us should be talking factually about that line of Scripture. We’ve all been born and will all die. The bottom line for believers in Christ, though, is that there’s nothing to fear. We can talk about it all we want and never get emotional because we know what comes next: a new life beyond imagining.

Eccl. 3As the Bible says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Mary’s current season is “cancer and chemo,” but only for this time. Our hope is that the next season will be all about laughing and dancing.

“God has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Always On Time

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AbigailMy friend Abigail has a stunning home on a good-looking lot with interior spaces worthy of magazine covers. But I don’t admire her for her home as much as her radical dependence on the Holy Spirit and for always taking God at his word.

Abigail’s home is down the road from a railroad track, and though the tracks are used infrequently, there’s one regular freight train she’s always happy to hear.  It blasts its whistle every day at 10:10, two longs, one short, and another long.

Though such regular racket might be irritating to most, Abigail has found a way to appreciate the 10:10. She uses it as a prompt to claim a Scripture for herself, a verse of truth that’s been a ribbon of reality for her ever since she took up residence near the tracks.

John 10:10.

The biblical setting has Jesus teaching about the life he envisions for everyone who believes in him as the Son of God: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

“They” refers to all who put their trust in him, and “abundantly” describes the rich, full inner life he wants to give, richer and fuller than anyone else can offer.

The thief is the devil. It’s not that he doesn’t make some mighty alluring promises. It’s just that he doesn’t keep them. But it’s even worse than that. Once he gets us to follow, he whirls around and bites us with his intent to steal (what God has promised), to kill (our desire to follow Christ), and to destroy (our spiritual hope).

When we believe Satan, we’re headed for destruction. When we believe Jesus, we’re headed for abundance.

People often say, “But what about the evil in this world? What about things like Mary’s life-threatening cancer and the wretchedness of chemo? Don’t those things steal, kill, and destroy?

As soon as we align with Jesus, the incredible answer is “no”. Cancer may steal good physical health for a while and may kill energy. Chemo may destroy red and white blood cells and force us to surrender regular commitments for a time. But neither cancer nor chemo can ever pluck abundance out of our hearts, souls, and minds.

Although Mary and other cancer patients battle nausea, altered routines, and intense fatigue, those who believe John 10:10 have no trouble recognizing Christ’s abundance inside them, in places that matter far more than physical deficiencies. For instance, Mary has testified to feeling the power of prayer in the middle of her battle, which then produces overflowing comfort and reassurance. And that’s just one example of the abundance God desires to give.

RR crossingAs for Abigail’s affiliation with the 10:10, she’s got me on board, too. Though I’m 2 miles from the tracks, I can still hear the whistle blasting, reminding me that Christ’s abundance is available to us all.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

 

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Praise for a good day accomplishing wedding “jobs”
  2. Praise for time with grandchildren
  3. Pray for safe travel for family members coming for the weekend, and energy for all the Memorial Day activities

Lighting Up

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Last night as Jack and I took our final walk of the day, the skies were lighting up like I’d never seen before. Chaotic lightning illuminated only the tops of a wild-looking cloud cover that spread from west to east, bursting bright as much as remaining dark. Jack and I stood in one spot for quite a while, mesmerized by the dramatic display.

Lightning in cloudsLightning fascinates us because of its power, and most of us were raised to respect it. Dad told us never to run under a tall tree for shelter since “lightning searches for a way to get to the ground and will strike the highest point in its path.” We all took him seriously when he said, “Run home instead.”

As Jack and I walked along looking up, my mind wandered to biblical passages about lightning, and once at home I looked them up. It was fascinating to read about God “owning” lightning. He “scatters it” and “unleashes it” at will. Job 36:32 says, “The Lord fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.”

I learned that God has control of lightning in a place from which he dispenses it and “makes the lightning flash.” I loved Job 38:35 that says all lightning bolts “report to him.”

Phone callAlthough most of us haven’t been struck by lightning, flashes of sudden bad news have hit us with the same kind of force, such as a cancer diagnosis or any other shocking surprise. When we first hear the words, whether in a doctor’s office, on our front doorstep, or over the phone, we feel as blindsided as if a bolt of lightning had gone through us.

RunningDad told us to “run home” when lightning flashed, and when unwanted news hits, we adults feel like running, too. But where? God has a place. He says, “Run to Me.” As in Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” Other translations say he’s “a strong fortress” or “a place of protection.”

In other words, as soon as a lightning burst of terrible news touches us, we should fast-dash to the Lord. He’ll tell us what to think when our minds are swirling and will give instruction on what to do, once we are in his place of emotional safety.

My mini-study of biblical lightning also let me know that in the end times, Jesus will return to earth with “an appearance like lightning.” And this: “As lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27)

Maybe the dramatic east-to-west display Jack and I witnessed last night was a preview of what the sky will look like when we see Jesus returning to earth! And after that, we’ll never be struck by bad news again.

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Praise for a Michigan sunset tonight
  2. Praise for a surprise in the mail, another well-stocked chemo care package, sent anonymously
  3. Pray for eyes to see the good in every day