Life Lesson #1 - Why are you Here?

My Dad and I think a lot alike in some ways and in some ways we couldn't be more different.  I was pretty sure that when the chemo started flowing through his veins it would make him weak, but instead he has sat up in bed sharing stories and teaching the Bible to everyone that has come in the room.

When it was just Mom and I with Dad today he told us about the conversation he had with God after finding out that he had leukemia.  He said that he knew God could and would heal him, but it was the response from God that made him sit up and take notice.  He said that God responded, "Danny, I do not doubt that you believe I have the power to heal you.  In fact, I know you have the faith that I will, but my question to you is why should I?"

It was then, as my Dad said, that he realized that the fact that God can heal us isn't the issue.  It is whether he should heal us.  In other words, what are we doing for God that gives Him a reason to keep us here?  What are we doing to enhance God's kingdom?

But just when I thought "Dad's Sermon" was over (and if you've ever heard him preach you know he can be very entertaining), the nurses came in to check on him.  They  got to talking about children and discipline (which by the way Dad has written a great explanation based on his Bible study that I hope to get to share with everyone).  Dad ended up talking about Elijah running through the wilderness trying to save himself from the evil Jezebel.  He finally found a dark and secluded cave that he knew he could hide in.  Elijah constantly told God that he was the only one God had to preach to his people.  God responded with "why are you here?"

Elijah said again, (btw, excuse my paraphrasing of the Bible) "God you have to protect me.  I'm all you have here."  God again answered, "Elijah, what are you doing here?"  Again, Elijah got upset and talked back to God and once again he responded, "Elijah, what are you doing HERE?"

Finally Elijah realized what God meant.  He wanted to know why he was hiding up in a cave instead of ministering to his people and standing up to Jezebel.

In Dad's words, the minute you think you are more important to God than others, he'll prove how unimportant you are.  Dad said, "show me a man who lacks humility, and I'll show you a man who is good for nothing."  We are on this Earth to be servants and ministers for God, yet we constantly come up with excuses as to why that is not possible.

I've been thinking about this all day, and it's really struck me how much I need to apply this to my life.  We all get so busy and think that we can't slow down and we don't have time to do things we should be doing, but we need to realize that if we don't give God the time he asks us for, he can easily take it from us in his own way.

There are so many ways to give God time.  Think about how you can spend some one-on-one time with Him.

UPDATE ON DAD

Day One of chemo is completed and starting day two with a double dose for the next 72 hours.  

Spirits are high.  God is great and so many lessons are being learned by everyone involved.

Remember to keep the SON in your eyes,

Shane Cole