Because of my treatment for AML, I’ve had more time than normal to examine a lot of things in my life and the lives of people around me. I’ve learned getting out of my old routines is helpful in some areas and not so helpful in others. Although I’ve had more time, I’ve also had more distractions.
Frankly, I suspect that’s the same issue created by “working from home” for a lot of people the past two years. Distractions, distractions…squirrel! And off we go.
Friends
My biggest challenge is staying plugged into the lives of people and things I care about. I’m not seeing people fact-to-face. I don’t go to church, to the grocery store, or the post office.
Facebook, in spite of its flaws, has helped me become reacquainted with folks I grew up with, people I attended church with 20+ years ago, and people I used to work with. I’ve quickly discovered beneath the graying hair and changes to the facade most people are still very recognizable. In fact, we may be more friendly now because with age we’ve lost some of the pretense of youth.
Even now I’m finding it helps stay in touch with family, people I currently work with, go to church with, etc.
How about you?
If you have close friends, how do you remain close? Or, if you make contact after a long absence, how do you rekindle the friendship? The simple answer is “you communicate”. You spend time together, you talk about what’s going on in your lives and over a period of time you hardly know you were ever apart.
One of the greatest challenges we face as Christians is to stay in touch with God. To have a life worth living we need to learn who God really is and who we are in God. There are a lot of folks who want to answer that question for you, but in reality, it’s a very personal journey. It isn’t that it’s hard to do. Except we make it hard by not doing a few simple things.
Listen
Again, the secret is communication. Reading the Bible, God’s love letter to us, is a great place to start. It’s a direct communication from God to you. It’s just as valid today as the day it was written. Some of you may have a preference for a particular version of scripture. That’s fine. I will not argue versions with you. If you have any exposure to foreign language, you already know absolute translations from one language to another rarely exist. Today I’m not concerned about the nuances of scripture and have no interest in discussing doctrine. Find a version you can read and understand. If you don’t understand the version you’re reading, try another.
The versions I typically read are the English Standard Version (ESV), The New International Version (NIV) and The Message (MSG). I also use the King James Version (KJV) because much of the scripture I recall from growing up was from the KJV.
Why read scripture?
The whole point of the written Word was to help us know God better. As we know God better, we understand our relationship in Him better.
Here’s the same verse from two translations.
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV 1900)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (The Message)
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
Read the one you prefer. Personally, unless I’m going to get into the underlying Greek, I understand The Message better. Get the basic concepts before you try to ferret out the details.
Maybe we’ve missed the point of reading the Bible. Rather than read the Bible so we can quote it, use it as a defense, or even defend it; what if we simply read it so we could know God better?
That is the point! Right?
Listen, again!
In addition to reading scripture, we pray. While we are talking to God, it’s really important to listen to what God is saying, both in the scripture you’ve read and what the Holy Spirit reveals to you as you talk to God.
Hint: it’s a really good idea to be quiet and listen when praying. God doesn’t typically shout. You have to be still to hear the quiet voice within you.
If by pray you mean giving God a list of things we want or want Him to do, that’s not what we’re talking about. Actually, as you understand scripture, you learn everything you need was accomplished by Jesus on the cross. He has nothing left to do for you. His work was finished.
Our job is to learn His provision, thank Him for it and accept it into our life. We pray to thank him for what He has done. And to ask the Holy Spirit to accomplish those things in our life, so what was done in the spirit comes to life in our physical life.
Solomon spoke of a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 (ESV)
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
I choose to stay in touch with this friend who is closer than a brother. So I communicate.
Where am I in this?
If you popped in to see my latest update on my treatment for AML, you’re still in the right place. 😊
From the physical point of view, on Monday, January 31, I’ll have a new bone marrow biopsy to see where we are and start my fourth round of chemo. We’ll continue on a roughly four-week cycle of treatments while waiting for application into a program for a bone marrow transplant, also called a stem cell transplant. We think that’s probably going to be at Atrium Wake Forest.
For the record, since my bout with vertigo I mentioned the last time, I’ve done very well. I’d say I’m 98% recovered from that. I feel well, although my body defenses are down due to where I am on the chemo cycle. I’ve still had no nausea from the chemo. I’m eating well although my weight is down. I’m okay carrying a few less pounds.
I’m still thankful for God’s provision and the finished work of Jesus. And that is still where my trust and hope lie.
Get to know the one who created you and learn His plan for you.
In His Love,
Wayne
