It started back in April – the signs of illness starting to rear it’s ugly head. We tried a number of obvious solutions which failed to deliver a cure. More doctors, more tests, more unknowns. Extreme fatigue and nausea left me unable to do much and my five young kids learning to fend for themselves. There were so many people praying for healing, and so much advice. I was thankful for the prayers. So thankful.
I started out praying for healing, but healing continued to allude. And others said that this sickness must be for my good, because God is a good God. To some extent they were right, but I knew that there are times things happen that aren’t ultimately for our good. There are times when things happen that bring glory to God in an unknown realm – a realm we won’t see until we pass over into everlasting life with Christ. There is an unseen battle being waged between the ruler of this world, and the King of Kings. And as Christians, we place ourselves into this battle.
It is possible that present day Christian culture has been selling a bit of a lie. Or at least misleading some. There are so many sayings out there that talk about God. About how He never gives us more than we can handle, or that every situation must be for our good. They just aren’t true. You see, claiming Christ has always been about God.
About His Redemption
About His Plan
About His Glory.
Believers are credited with the righteousness of Christ, not because we somehow deserve anything, or because he will make our lives better, but because he simply chooses to love us, and his compassion says something about who he is. It declares his glory in the unseen realm.
It’s just not about me.
So when sickness seems to overtake us, or tragedy strikes, we embrace the fact that God is in control. That if he chooses to use our lives even in a way that brings us torment, that our heart-cry is for His glory to reach it’s full extent. For better or for worse. That He would hold nothing back.
The day is coming that we will leave this war ground and rest between his shoulders. And there will be no more sickness, not more death, no more unknown. Until that day, we pray for healing. But our ultimate passion lies in His praise. This is a passion that brings true peace in the midst of the unknown. And a peace I have been blessed to call mine in the last few months.
For the Glory of His Name,
Karen
