This One Thing Is Certain

It is Friday morning. Two days of school have passed. And I am so thankful for this four-day weekend. Thankful because those first two days really took a toll on my body. Thankful because our son is coming home to visit.

I was so excited to begin school. My heart was filled with joy. My mind was prepared. But my body was hurting. I have still not been able to get the pain under control. I thought by now that we would be on the downhill slope, headed for the lodge. But we are back on the t-bar, headed up the mountain again, not certain which slope we will be getting on.

I am not complaining. I am simply pointing out that we are once again in a place of uncertainty. Then again, we all live with uncertainty every day. And, for that reason, we must strive to live each day to its fullest. To take advantage of every opportunity.

Since hearing and sharing the news about my lastest biopsy, I have received some of the nicest phone calls, e-mails, and notes of encouragement. I am blessed to have so many friends and family that are sticking with me/us on this journey.

A friend wrote yesterday: I know that you turn to God not to escape reality, but to help you face reality. That is so true. My faith in Jesus Christ gives me real hope. Real strength. Real peace and comfort. I am fully aware of my circumstances. But I am aslo fully aware (as much as any human being can be) of who my God is and what He has promised He will do for me. I know that I may suffer great pain as my body deals with this cancer growing inside me, but I know that the suffering I will endure pales in comparsion to the joy that I have becasue of my relationship with Jesus Christ. With the joy that I will experience living for eternity in His presence.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10, Paul writes that the faithful (those who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) will be rewarded and the unfaithful (those who reject Christ's offer) will be punished. Because our God is good and righteous and loving, He will reward righteousness (found only in Christ - and if Christ is in us, we will be found righteous) and punish unrighteousness (sin). It is the good and right and loving thing to do.

Paul reminds us that what we do in this life matters. Our choices and subsequent actions have eternal consequences. We must choose wisely.

For me, the choice is clear: Follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Trust Him to forgive my sins and pay the penalty (death on the cross of Calvary). Receive His righteousness in exchange for my sinfulness. Determine to live a life that is pleasing to God. Not to earn His favor. But because His favor has already been given to me on the basis of what Jesus Christ has done.

By God's grace, I can face the uncertainty of this day because of the certainty of what lies ahead - eternity with Christ. Because I trust in Jesus Christ, this one thing is certain.