Hendersonhome Chronicles

Our church makes available a daily devotional titled “Indeed,” which God has used throughout this process to speak to both Deb and me. Early on, it explored passages in Isaiah, which reminded us of God’s love and the hope He provided. Yesterday’s message in “Indeed” was once again timely. I had hoped that I could just provide a link to it and let you read it (no such luck). So, I’ll give you my perspective anyway.

Over the last week, the gravity of our situation has started to become overwhelming. Even though Ian has shown improvement, the enemy keeps bringing back some of the doctor’s words from the prognosis as an attack. I want to be realistic about Ian’s chances, and by human standards those chances aren’t good. The other temptation is to focus solely on asking God to heal him. There is nothing wrong with interceding on Ian’s behalf; I do that every day in full confidence, as do an enormous number of others (thank you for your prayers, everyone). However, as long as I focus on those two possible outcomes, my perspective remains almost strictly temporal and one-dimensional.

The “Indeed” devotional is currently looking at the first chapter in Job. Anytime I look at Job, one of two thoughts cross my mind:

1.) “I fully believe what this says, but my situation is nearly that bad.”
2.) “Dear Lord, please don’t let my situation get that bad.”

Anyway, looking at the first chapter of Job, any tragic situation gets a new framework. God has protected Job and allowed him to prosper. Job recognizes that all of his blessings are from God, and is appropriately thankful. Satan (literally, “the accuser”) uses this relationship to make the charge that Job is worshiping God only because he is blessed and protected. Satan states that if Job was not protected, he would not be faithful. God then allows the test to proceed.

God entrusts His reputation to Job, and when Job is faithful, God is glorified. That frames my situation much differently. God is entrusting His reputation with me, since my words and actions are now getting much greater scrutiny than before we learned of Ian’s condition. God has Ian’s best interest in mind, and will take care of my son. My charge is to continue to glorify God no matter what happens.

In discussing this with someone dear to me, the question was raised, “Wouldn’t it glorify God most to heal Ian?” In my limited mind, it would be hard to disagree with that statement. God, heal Ian now, heal him completely, and do it in a way that nobody else can explain. However, when I start praying and expecting that to happen, I exhibit tremendous hubris by thinking that I can tell the Maker of the universe, the Ruler of Creation, what to do. I have the audacity to recommend to my Lord, here is how you should be honored. I would not think to suggest to my manager at work how he should perform his job. What right do I have informing The Almighty of how His work is to be done?

Instead, I need to let God be God. I usually have a hard enough time being Tom; I’m not looking for that kind of promotion. I ask that His will be to restore Ian, but I ask further that His will be done. And until His final decision is known, I will focus on the task that He has given to me: to lift up the name of Jesus in everything I say and do. That task was given to me before we knew that Ian had a tumor, and it has not changed.