Today. Wednesday, June 6th. The day I go in to have an invasive surgery done in my brain (still leary to call it brain surgery). A day my family and I won’t soon forget.
I’m sure this surgery day started as they all have. I will tuck my hand inside my husbands and walk into the hospital. I will put on a ridiculous gown. We will laugh, a lot. And I will purpose to find joy in whatever circumstances come today.
Throughout this entire journey I’ve been reminded time and time again of God’s extravagant love for me. In the darkest places, I found Him there with me. Speaking to my heart. Speaking life into the hurt places. I’ve learned what it’s like to seek joy and find it. I’ve learned that even in the hard times, He gives us enormous blessings. I’ve learned joy doesn’t come and go with our circumstances. But joy can be experienced despite our circumstances. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, second only to love, it flows from God, not circumstances. We have a fundamental need for joy in our lives. Life without joy is overwhelming, depressing and just plain sad.
God loves all of us extravagantly. And He’s not finished with a single one of us. The fact is, He has a sovereign plan that is for good and not evil. For joy and not sorrow. He is writing a story of on-going redemption with each of our lives. Our lives are woven together through seasons. It’s one person’s season to experience this. And another person’s season to experience that. Neither is loved more. Neither is more dispensable.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 sums up the segment in a few simple, powerful words: He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.
His time. His time. His time. HIS TIME.
Joy comes in knowing Jesus, experiencing His presence and trusting His timing. Joy comes when we fall more in love with the One who loves us most. To experience joy is to experience Jesus.
So many times we want joy, but not trails. We want faith, but not testing.
Y’all, I’m going to be honest, I’ve thought many times how much easier my life would be without pain, without surgeries, without loneliness and without financial hardships.
But God often uses the hard to refine us. To transform us into the person we were created to be in the first place. More like Him.
In the short book of Philippians {only four chapters long} Paul uses the word “joy” 16 times. I find this absolutely amazing. Do you know why? Paul didn’t write this book when he was on vacation at the beach. He didn’t write it overlooking a sunset. He was in prison in Rome, waiting to be executed. In the darkest days of his life, he wrote the most positive book in the Bible.
When we find ourselves with Jesus, we can find joy in every journey. Even when that journey involves brain surgery.
I would totally appreciate if y’all could spare a prayer for me this morning. But more than that, pray for God’s comfort for my sweet family as they wait during the surgery. They have the hardest job of all, waiting and worrying. Not to mention the added stress of not being at the hospital with me. Pray for comfort, peace and that God wraps His arms around them. Thanks so much everyone!!! I know y’all are the best prayer warriors around!
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