In weakness and humility

Weakness = the state or condition of lacking strength.

Humility = a modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness.

First, I would like to say to all of you thank you for your love and support. Soo many of you have reached out and held and continue to hold us up in prayer.  Pam and I both thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I know many pastors say that their  church has the most amazing people… But I would argue I Foothills Calvary has THE most amazing people.  Truly loving and supportive beyond anything I deserve that’s for sure…. Last Tuesday was  most likely Pams Last visit to CBCI, the clinic at Presbyterian St. Luke’s.  

As the were looking at blood work (simplified version) good blood cells are decreasing and bad cells are increasing. They have thrown every chemo and study drug at it, and literally thousands of prayers from family and friends, that you all prayed over us the last few years. Pam has officially stopped all treatment and drastically reduced all medications. We met with hospice Wednesday. She was officially admitted into hospice Thursday night and we meet with the intake nurse today (Friday 6/9). She will get the central line (for IV fluids and transfusions) removed next Thursday (6/15).  Hospice will handle all of her care going forward. Basically comfort based care.  What does this look like? I do not know? ( I didn’t mention we just celebrated our 36th year of marriage) In this, we lean into our faith and Gods word. 

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 27:1 

Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

It is in this we do as Paul said in;

2 Corinthians 5:7 …. for we walk by faith, not by sight—

All of this has truly been in Gods hands from the beginning. We do not understand, I do not understand the why. My prayer 6 1/2 years ago as she was in ICU fighting for her life, was… Lord heal her or take her, Don’t let her suffer. She came out of that and we had 4 relatively heathy years, she has gotten to meet her 4 grand daughters and make some memories with them. Then as you know it came back, seemingly with a vengeance.  The prayer is the same. Lord heal her or take her…please don’t let her suffer any more.  So much to learn and grow in faith through all of this. We all have a choice as we go through adversity.  This is truly where faith and reality collide…. Do we become bitter and push away from God? Or do we humble ourselves and say as Jesus did in the garden? 

Like 22:42 Jesus said, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

What is our posture to be in the midst of trials and storms? When life around us seems to be chaotically out of control? Weakness and Humility? That is NOT our human nature. We are powerfully prideful in our humanness. we want to control, fix and schedule things. James points out that it is through submission and humility that the Lord lifts us up…

James 4:6-7

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

It is truly in humility and weakness that we lean into God and all he has for us. Even though it baffles the mind and even heart. His Grace is more than sufficient, it carries us when we weep.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Gods strength, His divine Providence… his will. His timing. Can we, will we humble ourselves in the midst of adversity? Do we believe that he is God, that he and He is always in control? Can we state with confidence… “May our faith be seen and May God be glorified in all we do”.  We personally are living in what seems to be the impossible, what you are currently going through, may seem impossible… To that I say, BUT GOD… and Hold Steady, eyes on God! Don’t stop praying over your circumstances.

I believe we are one prayer away from a miracle.  

No matter the outcome of our circumstances…. May our faith be seen and may God be glorified….