I’ve always envisioned Psalm 23:4 (which refers to life after death) as also being similar to experiencing the trials of this world and being comforted by the Lord, (“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.”).
Even during my darkest hours I always feel the unmistakable presence of the Father and I know that even though the trials can be agonizing and excruciating, in the end all will turn out well. Actually David who was no stranger to trials described it perfectly in that passage.
Yesterday my wife received awesome news. Her doctor called and told her that her breast cancer had not spread to her lymph nodes and the surgery had removed every sign of it. Today we are at Mayo to talk to her oncologist but I expect a relaxed go of it and we are happy as two clams.
As for me, the pain from my neck/back surgery has been greatly reduced and my strength is slowly but surely returning. My condition is getting better as each day passes and in fact Monday was the first day that I was able to return to work on a fulltime basis.
I spoke with my youngest son and he told me that everything in his life seemed to be moving in the right direction too. He got his kids in the school that he wanted them in, he is moving back into the house he loves, and he got the job that he desired.
My middle son’s software company has taken off like a rocket, and he bought a gorgeous lot and will soon be building the house of his dreams on the Chattahoochee River, and his kids are excelling in every area of their lives.
My oldest son just received a major promotion to CIO of a major multi-billion dollar company. All of his kids are excelling in school and he is hitting a home run in every area of his life.
Wow! What a contrast. Just a few weeks ago pain and the uncertainty of health issues and other problems made all of life seem bleak for us. Through it all I maintained my faith as did my family. Admittedly it was difficult. I have a very high tolerance for pain, but three ruptured discs and bones rubbing nerves raw in my neck brought me to my knees. Then my wife was diagnosed and on and on . . .
I asked, “Where are you God?”
He answered, “I’m right here; stay strong my son!”
We did and He helped us through our trials and now His light is breaking through and shining its warmth on the Williamson family as never before. Thank you Jesus!
So what is next? We will miss the reverent beauty of living on Honey Lake and seeing friends every weekend, but to tell you the truth we are beyond excited about entering the ministry fulltime. I’ve been meeting with several members of our senior leadership for the past two days and the Jesus alliance is finally taking off with a new phone application, website, and superb awareness plan all taking shape. Soon it will be a thing of beauty and we will be reaching people for Jesus all over the world. (I will opt for that any day over Honey Lake.)
One of the most wonderful things about being a Christian is HOPE. Christians are not excluded from hard times, but we definitely know that God has not forsaken us and as soon as His purpose has been accomplished He will give us His rest and we can share in His peace, joy, and love and therein lies the hope. He will NEVER desert us and walks with us through the thick and the thin. All we need to do is trust Him.
Non-Christians have to make it on their own. Yuk! I can barely remember those days, but I do remember that they were very dark.
If dark days are hitting you, hunker down, and grit your teeth for sure, but realize that when down in the valley there is always a peak that will follow for all Christians. Keep the faith and trust in the Lord your God! If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, then do so today and rest in His hope! You will not be sorry.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
April 8, 2015 – Click here to listen