The Big Lesson Learned

Last year, at this time, I was at one of my lowest points. Cancer was kicking my tail, and I was still learning what it meant to walk by faith in this cancer journey. I was losing weight, losing strength, losing the ability to concentrate, and I was losing hope. Fortunately, God placed people around me who reminded me of three great truths: 1. The sun is still shining, 2. The tomb is still empty, 3. The promises of God are still true and worthy of my faith. It is said that in every life, a little rain must fall. There are times in our life when storm clouds hide the rays of the shining sun, but the clouds have never stopped the sun from shining; they hide it for a little while. If you are under the storm clouds of life, take shelter under the protection of faith and trust God. The storm will pass, and the warmth from the rays of hope will revive your spirit again. No storm is so large that God can not calm it with a word. The empty tomb reminds me of the power of God, and the empty tomb reminds me of the provision and heart of God. In Psalm 23, after I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God has prepared a banquet table for me, and He honors me in the radiance of His presence. God loves you and has already prepared to give you everything you need to stand up in times of pain and resistance. Then there are the promises of God. God has never been unfaithful to me. God has never abandoned me. God has never turned His back on me. Instead, over the past year, I have seen the hand of God clearly through the encouragement and blessings that have shown up over and over again at just the right time. The greatest promises of all are the promises of forgiveness, return, and rest. Since God has been faithful in every other area of my life, why would I question these promises? I serve a great God; help me never forget the past year’s lessons. In Him J. Tom Washburn