As of 7:50 on November 17, I turned 56 years old. Four years ago I was diagnosed with stage IV terminal Lung Cancer and was given no chance of long term survival. There was over an 90% chance I wouldn’t see today. It is incredible to me that over 90% of those diagnosed the same time as me who also tried this or that treatment didn’t make it. In light of these numbers, I give thanks to Him in whom we live and move and have our being. The Bible says it is appointed unto a man once to die, and after that the judgment. Though I fear neither, I am not in any hurry for either! Don’t get me wrong, I look forward with great anticipation and great affection to my going home to be with my God. But life on earth is a special opportunity to do things we can’t do in heaven.
On earth there are people who don’t believe in God or, if they do, haven’t crossed the line to saving faith in Him. On earth, there are believers who have been sidetracked from their mission and are pursuing the same things as unbelievers are. I love to influence and encourage both to faith in God or stronger faith in God. When I breathe my last, my voice will never again speak encouragement to another in this life. I am writing a lot to keep my words alive after I pass away, but it is not the same as being here. Incidentally, my second of several scheduled full-length books is nearly complete. It is called, “Praying the Psalms.” I will let you know when it is available in print and on Kindle.
Another thing I am thankful daily for is my precious family. I was brought up well and have succeeded in my faith because of it. My extended family is a group of well over a 100 and are mostly solid believers and a pleasure to spend time with. They have been an invaluable help in my past four years of difficulties, not to mention the many years of trials that proceeded these. I adore my wife of seven years and am daily blessed by my six children, who also walk with God.
Someone has said life is all about what you do with plan B. Indeed, there is lots of truth in this statement. I came across this picture recently that explains life well:
No kidding. When you think back to all your hopes, plans, and dreams and then recall what really happened it often bears little resemblance to where you thought life would go or how it would go. When I hear a young man or woman wax eloquently about their plans for the future I smile to myself knowing that much of what they anticipate is unlikely or at least won’t be the same as what they expect. Life happens. This is why it is so important to have Jesus Christ as plan A. Then it doesn’t really matter what the storms of life throw at you. Plan A is still on solid ground and will always succeed beyond your wildest dreams. I am reminded of a parable Jesus told in His Sermon on the Mount:
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27
Yes, life happens, but when your plan A is built on solid ground, it lasts forever. If your plan A is built on a temporary foundation, it will fall and great will be its fall. Put all your eggs in the eternal basket today. I have, and cancer has no long lasting hold on me. I will live forever.
Dan's Pulpit 