4 Minute Devotions: Awareness

1 Timothy 6:18           Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Like most congregations, we have a number of women who are breast cancer survivors, or who have known someone in their family with it. At this time of year, they get ready to gather together for the annual 5k Susan G Komen Race that takes place in our town. They plan everything cheerfully and encourage our church families to participate in organizing, donating, and even the running. It’s a wonderful cause to support and I greatly admire the work that they do.

There’s a lot of good that emerges from their efforts. They form family support groups; they educate their children. They encourage other women to take heart. They even help the men in their lives understand how important they are to this cause. In fact, one of our church families has even printed T-shirts for their team which reads: DUDES for BOOBS. I’ve even seen photographs of their young sons proudly and cheerfully wearing them. It’s a great cause and a wonderful event. People are so generous and willing to share their experiences, their encouragement, and their enthusiasm.

I see the whole campaign not only as a community gathering, but also as a beautiful opportunity for church people to give of themselves to something important outside of the church. We are so blessed as Christians; it’s also a blessing to be generous and willing to share our faith, our fellowship, and our finances with such a valuable cause.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for the many different people who make up our churches. We especially thank You for the courageous women who have faced breast cancer and survived. We praise You for their continuing work amongst us and we ask that You will bless their efforts to make more people aware of this important issue, and to enable us one day soon to find its cure. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbtyerian.org.

Cancer

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Terminal cancer is a hard disease to understand. It hurts so many people – its victims and their relatives. It’s a process that is hard to endure, especially as it normally involves losing a lot of weight until the patient can no longer sustain their lives. It’s a sad sight to see and over the years, I’ve watched many of my best friends in church and from the communities that I have served, literally waste away. Being a pastor doesn’t protect or prevent you from feeling sad, hurt or even angry when cancer occurs in other people’s lives. You feel just as helpless as those around you.

It’s also a hard subject to talk or write about because all of us don’t want to mention it. I can remember when both my grandfathers suffered from cancer, twenty years apart. Grandpa McLay was diagnosed with lung cancer in his sixties when there were very limited resources or treatment. He died in excruciating pain. Granda Stuart was diagnosed with prostate cancer in his late eighties. He slept away gradually and peacefully.

These days, there are lots of resources, treatment, and support, which give many people a higher rate of surviving cancer. I’ve also seen a greater degree of spiritual growth occurring amongst cancer patients. The human soul is an amazing source of strength, especially when it is really connected to God. And I guess that’s part of what Paul is expressing in his own message from scripture today – that though outwardly people may seem to waste away, inwardly there is a sacred process of renewal and restoration going on, which prepares the soul for that ultimate journey into eternity, to be reunited with loved ones and to rest in the everlasting arms of God.

Prayer: Father God, we all know of people who are suffering from terminal cancer. We pray that You surround them with much love, faith, and constant support. Uphold them during bouts of depression and comfort them during times of fear. Grant their spirits a process of renewal and let them be completely assured of Your Holy presence and almighty peace. Be near to their loved ones and comfort them with Your compassionate care. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.