A SPECIAL REST
“So, there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.”
My beloved Susie asked me an elegant question last week.
“When do you think you learned to have peace and be free from anxiety, worry, and fear?”
This is a difficult question to answer because I am not certain that I have completely defeated these brutal enemies that rob us of the fruits of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
What I can say is, “For me the most beautiful and special place to be is to enter this place the author of Hebrews called a special rest.”
Psalm 23 has become my home plate, my place of center. “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want,” has become more than a group of words or a phrase that sounds good. The promises of Psalm 23 have become my special rest.
Big Dale, a construction contractor, took delight in teasing me about my soft, good job with NBC Camps.
One day I said Dale, “If it were possible, would you trade places with me right now?”
Without hesitation, Dale said, “Yes.”
“Ok, then you get cancer along with my soft and good job,” I joked back.
Dale’s eyes opened wide. It didn’t take him long to say, “No thanks, I think I will keep my own life.”
As crazy as it may sound, yet it is my reality, my Abba Father allowed for me to have cancer. It has been this ugly disease that has set me free.
Something beyond words of explanation happens to many of us when we are told by a trusted doctor, “Based on your profile, I give you 3 years of life before cancer wins.”
Some quit life at this news. Some get bitter. Some dive into God’s Word.
My choice was to fight. To battle cancer with all the resources available to me.
I fight for my grandchildren who wish for me to live.
I fight for my amazing Susie who is a rock of support and encouragement.
I fight to prove what I have taught 1000’s and 1000’s of young kids and adults that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever; that he will never leave us nor will he ever forsake us.
Right now, five of my dearest friends are battling ugly cancer. If you have cancer, may you find this rest. If you have a life-threatening disease, may you find this rest. If you have chronic pain, may you find this rest.
There is a special rest, that in my opinion, only Abba Father and the Lord Jesus Christ can make possible for us to experience.
I know I am a living example of one of those who found God’s special rest.
My hope and desire is to never leave or lose this special place. The earthly place our precious Lord calls His special rest.
