No joke there I was. Iraq. 2005. Anbar Province. The height of the Sunni insurgency. Infantry company commander, pistol on my side and knife in my pocket, on my way to…the chow hall. It was already dark that winter night as I walked from my Humvee to the dining facility front door for some delectable frozen crab legs served up by Pakistani laborers employed by KBR. I traveled along a narrow path lined with Hesco barriers filled with sand to protect us from shrapnel from enemy mortars or rockets that often hit the base.
As I was walking I realized how well I could see even though the sun was fully set. Where was the light coming from? Large light sets like the ones you see illuminating a football field were commonplace on forward operating bases. I looked around for the KBR-operated lights (yes, they ran everything) but saw none. I looked again in every direction for a floodlight mounted on a Hesco barrier. Nothing. I looked yet again all around for the source of light but saw nothing. “Where is the world is this light coming from?” I thought.
 |
| Photo courtesy of NASA/Bill Ingalls |
Finally, I looked straight up. That’s when I saw perhaps the biggest and brightest moon I had ever seen. The glow of light seemed to pervade every dark space along my path. Finally, I knew the source of the light and it wasn’t from this world after all.
Isn’t that just like us? When darkness comes, when difficulty strikes, when we need answers we look everywhere…except up to the Source of all light. That sure describes me. When adversity strikes I typically look inward to see how I can fix it. What can I do to fix my mess? Have I chosen the right doctor? Am I taking the right medicine? Can I eat/drink/sleep/exercise/supplement/think better to heal me of this cancer? True, our decisions matter and we should be accountable for them. But, when we try to do everything in our own strength then we are effectively telling God that we don’t need him.
Jesus said in Luke 11:9, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (NIV). God wants his best for us and is telling us to ask Him for what we need. Nowhere does he say, “Go figure it out for yourself and then, if you get it right, I’ll help you.” Instead, He simply says, “Ask.” He is to be our first resort, not our last. The best part is that He always comes through. So, rather than looking to others or ourselves when the darkness comes, let us first look up, to the Father, the source of all light.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1, 2 NIV)
~ Thank you for sharing the source of your hope, our Lord, with the world. ~
You’re welcome, Lelia.
Well said Jeff. I have to remind myself of this often. Warren Goforth
Thanks, Warren. Hope you’re doing well.
Sir, I pray for you every night. You continue to be an inspiration in my life. I can’t imagine myself going through so much in the graceful manner which you handle these unfortunate circumstances.
Your recollection of the mother pushing the wheelchair brings back memories: My 17 year old son has Congenital MD, and it’s all but certain that his life will be severely shortened due to his disease. He is also an inspiration in my life, as he handles his disease like an undisputed champion. I feel like I can empathize with you due to having lived vicariously through my son all the years of his life. Good news, bad news, terrible medical proceedures, seizures, painful treatments…He’s lived it all.
Please know this: When you share your stories and show your appreciation for your “now”, I (and many others) get energized to live better and to be even more involved as the (parents) father to my kiddoes. You have a powerful message Sir, you are reaching many where they are in life with your words, experiences, and transparency. The outcome is that lives are being changed by your willingness to invite us all for a glimpse of your faith, challenges, and desires for your future. I join you in praying that you are healed, that you are afforded to opportunity to raise your beautiful children, and continue to touch lives in the name of Jesus! With continued prayers and faith in healing. Rob C.
Thanks, Rob. That’s very encouraging to me. It helps me tremendously to know that good is coming from this disease. I certainly appreciate your prayers. God bless you and your family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6PSA5bYTxs
I don’t know much about it, but I’ve read theories that certain sounds can aid in recovery and healing. The above is, by my standards, a jaw dropping demonstration of what sound can do. Thought you might be interested in looking into it. Sir, thoughts, hopes and prayers lifted up for you, in his name.
Fever in the hospitalized patient a.Greatly struck by her experience in Germany Nightingale returned to England and in took her first post as the superintendent of the Establishment for Gentlewomen During Illness on Harley Street London. accutane buy us Getty Images De Agostini.