It is never happenstance when I meet fellow cancer survivors. Recently, when I was being wheeled in to take my MRI, Bonita and I ran into a fellow cancer traveler, Jim Hastings. I have known Jim and his family for a long time. Jim is retired and uses his time to make hospital visits all over town. He goes as an ambassador of Second Baptist Church.
Jim told us that he is 15 years out from his diagnosis of cancer. Taking your diagnostic MRI is always a tense time, and many of you understand what I am saying. Hearing those words, “15 years out,” was music to my ears. The promise of HOPE was confirmed by this living, breathing life of this cancer survivor. His devotion and gratitude to the Lord is shown by visiting those at MDA who are suffering emotionally, physically, and spiritually on this journey. What a testimony of faith and obedience.
This morning at breakfast, Bonita was reading in Philippians 2 these words:
Being found in appearance as a man, He (Jesus) humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:8-13 NASB)
Philippians — verses I have read over and over — but THE WORD becomes new every morning. It is just like our Father in heaven to give us good words to hide in our hearts so that we can make it through yet another day…or another MRI.
Thank you, Jim Hastings, for your service and the witness of your love for God and HIS people.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9 NASB)
He is Lord! He is Lord! He is risen from the dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
