Jesus in the Waiting – His Timeline, Not Ours
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
Acts 1:7 NIV
The email simply said, “You have new test result.” I should be used to those emails as I have seen the inside of more hospitals than I ever imagined. I thought Let’s see what the pathologists are saying now. The result was abnormal and positive for a possible cancer gene. Cancer! I heard that word in doctor’s offices tossed around as they tried to come up with a diagnosis for my illness. I knew it was a possibility but when I saw it on paper, it took on a different meaning.
Millions of voices filled my head. I thought, Lord, I knew this day might come. Why do I want to run out of the building and cry? I felt God say, “because you are human, and your reaction is normal.”
The doctor said more genetic testing was being done to confirm the findings. “Hopefully, we can avoid a bone marrow biopsy with these tests,” she said trying to reassure me. She added that it could take several days before they had all the results and that a biopsy was most likely in my future.
I texted a friend telling her what I had found out. She called immediately. She reminded me, “God has got this, and He has got you. Whatever it is He will not leave you and you’ve got the prayers of so many people.”
I checked my emails throughout the day for genetic results, no news. Why is waiting so hard? I am a confessed Googler, and I began doing my own research. This not only confused me more but gave answers that ranged from positive outcomes to start planning a funeral service. Then, I realized what I was doing. I didn’t turn to God first for the answers and let Him work in his own timeframe.
I turned to the internet instead of the Word. When I focused on God and His promises a peace came over me. I know whatever comes passes through His hands first. He has proven His love and devotion to me throughout my life – why would He stop now?
I may be facing one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced in my life, but I know I am not doing it alone. I have someone who is walking alongside me holding my hand in His nail-scarred one. Those hands of His are a reminder that He knows all too well how hard life and challenges can be. He faced them head-on and is waiting in eternity to greet us.
Mitzie Avera
