Right around the time this blog posts online, we will be at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for more scans. It’s been about 2 1/2 months since the last scans; my doctor didn’t want me to wait that long, but it just worked out that way. Ben and I have early appointments this time–my CT Scans are scheduled for 6:45 am. We will then have a 3+ hour wait for the Radiologist to read the scans and send a report to our doctor. This is our typical protocol on Mayo Scan Day. Except for this time—it’s crazy early in the morning—be on the lookout for a report later this afternoon on Facebook.
This week’s blog came about because of our Thursday night Bible Study. We socially distance in our living room and have a great discussion over a book of the Bible. We may even be known for not always agreeing 100%, but we still enjoy and respect each other.
We are currently studying the book of Philippians. Last week we were in Chapter 2 and really focused on verses 3-5 which says, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit. but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.“
Jesus was the ultimate humble leader. He led by example when he showed mercy and grace to the adulteress woman who was about to be stoned by the religious leaders in John 8:1-11. On another occasion, he washed the feet of all the disciples including Judas, who was about to betray Him for money in John 13:1-15. Ultimately, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” These words came from Philippian 2:5-8 (ESV).
All of these examples show the depth that Jesus was willing to humble himself to bring His Father glory. One of the points the author of our Bible study made was that the human side of us or our flesh can not manifest humility; that only comes from the Holy Spirit. Then they wrote these words that have been floating in my heart and on my mind for over a week. They wrote, “God works in us before He works through us, and He uses the Word, the Spirit, and prayer.” 1
God works in us. How does that happen? One of the biggest ways I see God at work in us is when we are facing things that are so much bigger than ourselves and our ability to “fix” the problem. I think it’s during these times that the Lord is at work and we have to learn to trust in Him and His ways. When we learn to trust in Him, then He is able to work in us and change our hearts and our thoughts to better mirror His.
Then it becomes easy for God to work through us to minister to others because we have changed our hearts and mind to be on the same page as His will and purpose for our life. There is unity, like-mindedness, and a desire to fulfill His purpose.
God has truly been working in our lives while we have journeyed through living with ovarian cancer. But what we have learned through this trial is that Jesus never leaves us, the Holy Spirit guides us continuously, and God the Father is leading us on a path to set aside our desires and to seek after His.
It’s because of the lessons we have learned that we can now minister to others like we never could before.
Where is God at work in your life?
How is He working in you so that He will be able to work through you?
Ponder that for a little while.
Hugs,
1 Calvary Vista. Philippians Bible Study. https://www.calvaryvista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Philippians-All-Lessons.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2h0mxcIUB7JzlOWx7xPaVzQbqPShfFGZnmfSuVXWXG_W-uQgpkJN1tQRg . Accessed June 2020.
Thank you so much Julie for sharing God’s Word in a thought provoking way!
Your strength in your journey has truly been an amazing testament to your deep faith and relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Oh, my sweet friend!! Once again you have reminded me of a truth I first learned in 1985 after my mother passed away and 1 month later I had a miscarriage. I really struggled with being angry with God. He couldn’t possibly love me and cause me so much pain and loss. Then one day I picked up my Bible which I hadn’t touched for weeks. I “happened” to come across this verse:
2 Cor. 1:5a “All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.”
God spoke to me as clearly as if He were in the room with me. God had given me a job…to comfort those who are going through the same sorrow as I was going through. It wasn’t long before I began to “run into” people who had lost a parent or who had lost a baby. I realized that even in our pain and sorrow, God has a plan for us. I needed to be reminded, my friend. Thank you and God bless you and your family!