I recently passed a pretty big milestone. I was able to put a shirt over my head, by myself. I also was able to put on my own seatbelt.
Some milestone, huh?
I mean, everyone should be able to put on a shirt and fasten a seatbelt. And yes, normally I could…until December 13. On December 13, so many things in my life drastically changed.
Just 2 days before I had been doing this:
But on December 13, I felt as if I would never do a plank again. I could barely get myself up out of bed. Arm reach was suddenly limited to 45 degrees, and only from my elbows down. I had lost so much mobility in such a short period of time.
December 13
December 13 was the day I had surgery to fight cancer. I didn’t walk into surgery with joyful anticipation. Despite the fact that I had been suffering sickness, brain fog, fatigue, and more for months, and the advice that surgery could help cure all those things, I still just didn’t want to have to go through with it.
But I did. I went to the hospital. I underwent major surgery. And then a short time later I woke up.
And that’s when I experienced the completely unexpected: I felt completely clean inside. I knew it the instant I opened my eyes. I had been cleansed. I felt like I had been given new life.
But it was a different life. It was a life that involved fighting though some pain, facing strict physical limitations, messing up my weekly schedule for many months to come, and other things that really didn’t make my life easier. I felt better inside, but I still had a lot of personal battles to face.
And I was so very thankful. I still am so very thankful for the battles. Because it is through these battles I will be able to step away from the past and move forward to a more glorious future.
God is in the business of taking us to a place where we can fight our battles. And it starts by truly submitting to Him.
New life in Christ- that’s like awaking from a major operation and realizing it’s gone. That thing inside of our bodies that has been pulling us down has been amazingly removed and the difference is noticeable. But no matter how exhilarating that feeling can be, there’s still a battle to be fought. It’s truly worth fighting. Stand strong through the tough roads. It will be worth it!
The day you accepted Christ as your Savior, what came next? Those friends who wanted to live the way of the world were still there. That persistent habit that has been a part of your life for so long had not disappeared. And then there were new patterns to establish: reading the Bible every day, praying every day, listing to more wholesome music, choosing to do the daily tasks in your life differently. Change isn’t anything any of us really enjoy- but God knows that change is needed in order to truly experience the wholeness in life He has created for you and I to live.
I’m committed. I’m committed to following through with the required recovery techniques that will allow me to rebuild after major surgery. But I’m also committed to establishing new daily patterns that will lead me to a more wholesome life, overall. I don’t just want to live cancer free. I want to live free of the strongholds of the enemy. How about you?
New Life
Maybe you haven’t yet made the decision to accept Christ as your Savior, or you feel a need to rededicate your life. That is awesome! I support you and want to pray for you. Andy Lynch does as well. Contact either of us right now: jbeck@wtlw.com or alynch@wtlw.com.
9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is LORD,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10
Tell someone about your journey. God designed us to walk the road of life together.