It’s Okay

I knew my friend John had battled through cancer a year ago  He had come back to work a little thinner but just as dedicated and focused. John is saved, He trusts the Lord Jesus as his Savior. His testimony was one of thankfulness. We stop for a moment occasionally and I ask how he is doing.  It wasn’t very long ago I asked how he was doing that John pulled back the collar of his shirt and revealed a golf ball size lump on his neck. Tests were scheduled at Emory to find out what was going on. A couple of weeks later the lump was very noticeable. John let me know the cancer was back and in his lymph glands with two more tumors in his abdomen and lower back and it was very aggressive. I slipped the cap off my head and my face must have surely revealed my concern. It was like I was back in that oncology office with Angel in July of 2014 hearing the bad news. John looked at me and put his hand on my shoulder and said with a slight smile, “It’s okay.”  John had already come to grips with the possibility of making his move into a glorified body.  I put my hand on his shoulder and we went into the throne room of the Almighty where I begged God to take care of John.

Fast forward to this past week.  John’s neck has a tumor the size of a naval orange. He told me that he is going to a cancer research hospital in Maryland to undergo experimental treatment that will cost millions. He smiled when he said, “But it won’t cost me a dime. They are going to try to study my cancer in order to find a cure.” It was an admission that there was little to no hope.  John is giving the remainder of his life to try to provide a cure for millions. He is still at work every day, still focused and still smiling. He’s winner either way, ‘if he goes or if he stays’  he’s trusting the Lord every day.

Seeing how John has walked through the valley of the shadow of death makes me so ashamed when I get put out for inconsequential inconveniences. I believe I can say “It’s okay” more. I think of Paul in Philippians 2:21 when he said “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” If I can live through my problems it is to the witness of Christ’s grace, but if I don’t live through them then I get to go live with Christ in heaven. IT’S OKAY!

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (He 12:2)  Jesus Christ took on the cancer of incurable human sin so that He could give His life in providing a cure for any that would accept His life saving salvation.  Looks like John is staring death in the face knowing his life has a finish line very soon but according to him, “It’s okay.” Pray for my friend, John, but don’t worry, it’s okay.

God bless you!

BroAdamB