Truly, He Lives!

May 2007

Finding out that I had colon cancer was not exactly what I was expecting. Spending a week in the hospital and having my first major surgery was also not high on my agenda. Yet, here I am with stitches in my abdomen preparing for follow-up chemotherapy.

Over the years as a pastor, I ministered alongside a number of people who had received similar news. I often wondered how I would react. I wondered if I would be panicked. I wondered if fear or courage would dominate my feelings.

I discovered something that I was not expecting or anticipating. I experienced such an overwhelming sense of the peace and presence of God that all other feelings were overwhelmed. I found myself in the midst of a sense of calm that somewhat amazed me.

A young doctor, who was doing his clinical work, visited with me several times during my hospital stay. He came to see me the morning after the tumor had been found. The tumor had not been formally diagnosed as cancer, but the doctor who had viewed the pictures from the colonoscopy was all but certain that it was cancer. The young doctor commented that I must have had a difficult night sleeping since learning about my situation. I told him the truth; I had slept like a baby.

When, I first studied Blackaby’s Experiencing God a few years ago, I remember the lesson on spiritual mileposts. I charted all of the major spiritual moments in my life to that point. I have added a few since then. However, this experience in the hospital is going to be a major milepost.

My first opportunity to attend church following my surgery was Easter Sunday. My wife and I slipped into the sanctuary just before the service was beginning. It was one of the best worship experiences that I have had in a while. We sang one chorus during the service entitled, “In Christ Alone.” I have to confess that it was hard to choke off the emotion to sing the chorus.

We also sang “He Arose” and “He Lives.” For me this was an opportunity to testify with a renewed sense of the living Christ.

As strange as it may seem, this vivid reminder of my mortality has proven to be an opportunity for God to reaffirm His presence in my life. Surgery has led to a new sense of worship.

By the way, I do want to thank all of you who heard of this while it was occurring and prayed for me. I felt the prayer and the concern. I appreciated all of the cards and the calls.

My prognosis is good at this point. The cancer was removed. Chemotherapy will follow because there was some activity in two lymph nodes. The doctors say that my situation is very treatable. Keep praying for my health, but rejoice with me that we serve a God who really does walk beside us in the midst of our lives. Truly, He lives!

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