I know that God is not “The Great
Puppeteer in the Sky” who pulls strings to either make us jump His
way or let us fall in a slump heap. It seems incredible that God
decided to give free will to humankind. God is no pusher or manipulator. He doesn't
invade my life against my will. I can even resist God's work in my
life, if I choose.
The fact is, when I opened my heart
and surrendered my life to Him years ago, I gave Him permission to
work me over into whatever pattern He originally planned for me. Year
after year, morning by morning, I've consciously reaffirmed His
Lordship:
I choose You, Jesus Christ, as Lord
of my life. Reign as King with full authority over my body, soul,
spirit, mind, emotions and will. Rule over all that I am, all that I
have, all that You have so graciously given me. I accept You as Lord
over every relationship, responsibility, appetite, and ambition.
Bring into my life today everything
and only whatever and whomever You will—in person, by letter, phone
call, email, thought, impression, prayer, event, or circumstance.
Therefore, may I recognize that interruptions and changes are not
accidental or incidental, but my opportunities and Your appointments
for my good and for Your glory.
“Okay, God, I know You are not an
intruder in the negative sense. I know that I gave You permission to
do as You will in my life. But this physical trial certainly seems to
have interrupted important things I had on the drawing board of my
life. Here I am, flat on my back in the hospital after cancer
surgery. I'm challenged to internalize my faith in Your sovereignty
and goodness for bringing this seeming misfortune into my life. It
doesn't look like a blessing from this horizontal posture. No, I
don't want to renege on my surrender and grab the steering wheel from
my passenger side. I acknowledge You as the driver in control.
But Lord, couldn't You have made Your
point just as clearly with some handwriting on the wall of my
kitchen? Or by speaking through a burning bush in my yard? Did you
have to use such a drastic measure as cancer? I think I would have
listened to You...
Well, maybe I wouldn't have...probably
not...not in the same way as I hear You now while staring at the
ceiling of Room 12 in the surgical wing of University Hospital hooked
up to all these wires and tubes and breathing apparatus.”
(Excerpt from Chapter 8 “Working My
Way Through Spiritual College” from Leona Choy's book “HOSPITAL
GOWNS DON'T HAVE POCKETS! Why Me? What Now? Discovering Meaning in
Physical Distress.”)
For the rest of November, Leona will
regularly post excerpts from this book on her blog as "appetizers." At the same time,
this 314 page book originally priced at $15.95 is available for ONLY
$11 a copy plus s/h! Order multiple copies for CHRISTMAS
GIVING! Hurry and contact Leona at leonachoy@gmail.com.
“Nobody Doesn't
Need This Book!
Like it or not, some kind of medical
or surgical adventure probably waits around the corner for you or
your significant others. Or you are already a veteran in the School
of Physical Trials. Cheer up! Hospitals are not only ideal BODY SHOPS
for repair but excellent CLASSROOMS for soul-searching and life
evaluation. This book is not only for first-timers who, like
Leona, suddenly faced cancer or surgery, but also for graduate
students in the schools of chronic illness and pain.
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