The moment I received the personal call from our family doctor, I
knew my wife was in trouble. She was at the doctor's office at that very
moment, for a follow-up visit after a biopsy that had been done the
previous week. Why would our doctor be inviting me to join them in her
private office if everything was okay?
While driving to the
doctor's office, my thoughts were focused on my wife. I was sure that
the biopsy had shown the presence of cancer. Why else would I have been
invited for a "friendly chat" in the doctor's office? I felt completely
helpless, and I couldn't stop the panic from rising. After all, we were
talking about my beloved wife here!
But something happened during
that 20 minute drive, for when I arrived at the doctor's office, I was
filled with total peace. Why the change? My best Friend showed up during
the drive, and we had a tender conversation. His peace replaced all the
worrisome thoughts that had been trying to overtake my soul. I knew in
my heart that His strength was enough to sustain us both.
Even my
wife was amazed at how calm I was, but why did I need to worry? It was
all in God's hands anyway!
God's promise come through: "The mind
governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is
life and peace." (Romans 8:6, NIV2)
We were scheduled to leave
for Europe in just three days, and together we made the decision to go
ahead with the trip. Nonetheless, I was uneasy with the decision. Was it
the right one? Wouldn't it have been better for my wife to take care of
that dreadful disease immediately, rather than to be off gallivanting in
the old country?
At such moments, God was the One who assured me
that "All would be well"!
And sure enough, it was only a little
more than a week after we returned from Europe that my wife had her
surgery. It was faster than anyone would have suspected. And then it was
time for recuperation, and that would take weeks, if not months. I was
so glad that I had another four weeks off for the summer so that I could
be there for her and help out with the chores. In fact, those four weeks
became the highlight of my summer, even more so than our wonderful trip
to Europe.
During those days it was primarily just the two of us.
My oldest son was working, and my youngest was away on a missions' trip,
and as we spent time, just the two of us, alone with God, we grew even
closer than ever.
When it was time for me to go back to work, a
place where I spend most of my enthusiasm and energy, I felt like my
thoughts were completely elsewhere. I couldn't wait to get back home to
be there for my wife. Although I still tried to do my best at work, my
heart wasn't in it. It's then and there that I realized that everything
in life is secondary when it is compared to genuine love, the same love
that God bestowed on us. We were meant to love, just like Jesus did. Not
to simply satisfy ourselves, but to fulfill the needs of others! And
their biggest need overall is to be loved unconditionally!
I view
work quite differently now. It's not just a way to earn a living, it's
especially an opportunity to reach out like Jesus did, and genuinely
love those around us. Love is, after all, the only way to truly be
fulfilled. Possessions, hard work, travelling, hobbies . . . These may
captivate our attention for a little while, but all of these will
eventually evaporate into nothingness. Do we still have the same
interests we had thirty years ago? Probably not, but love will always be
in demand, especially pure, unadulterated, genuine love. It is only by
beginning to love as He does that we can truly be the best witnesses
possible for the Most High.
"But if anyone obeys his word, love
for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in
him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did." (1 John
2:5-6, NIV2)
Only when we realize our real purpose on earth will
we be able to find complete fulfillment.
Oops! The phone is
ringing. I better pick it up. It may be an opportunity to fully
experience my Best Friend Jesus!
Rob Chaffart
What Really Matters After All
Today's Bible Verse:
"As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone
will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John
13:34-35)
What Really Matters After All
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