"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, NIV2)
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
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.