Bragging Rights

Even after just a few treatments in his fight against leukemia, Brad’s cancer levels have already gone down 75%... an above average response. The doctor said he was “above average.” We knew that about him already, of course! He’s been an above average friend in so many ways to all of us who have known him for so many years. But I guess it adds to the bragging rights to hear those words from a medical professional who’s been studying Brad inside and out for over a week now! But God knows him even better than that, and guess what? His opinion is the same! We may be rejoicing over the news, but God is doing a happy dance. “The Lord your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NCV)

Bragging Rights

Unsplash/Johan Godinez

Even after just a few treatments in his fight against leukemia, Brad’s cancer levels have already gone down 75%... an above average response.

The doctor said he was “above average”.  We knew that about him already, of course! He’s been an above average friend in so many ways to all of us who have known him for so many years. But I guess it adds to the bragging rights to hear those words from a medical professional who’s been studying Brad inside and out for over a week now!

But God knows him even better than that, and guess what?! His opinion is that same! Brad is clearly big in God’s book… and not because of the current condition of his blood, but because of Whose Blood runs through his veins. Brad’s a child of the King, created in the image of God’s Son…  and equally beloved!

We may be rejoicing over the stats on the blood workups, but God is even more worked up over the status of Brad’s soul.

“… ‘Don’t be afraid… Don’t give up. The Lord your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you.’” (Zephaniah 3:16-17 NCV)

 

A Disturbing Diagnosis

 

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The diagnosis has stunned Brad’s family and friends, who until just two weeks or so ago saw him living his life with all the gusto and joy with which he’s filled his first 30-odd years. Then a bachelor party trip to Talladega to celebrate a friend left him feeling unwell… not an unusual occurrence after a weekend of partying with friends. But the sickness lingered and seemed to worsen instead of lessen, forcing repeated trips to doctors and hospitals… testing… and finally, the dreaded diagnosis.

Fear is a natural response in such a situation. Surprisingly, however, the name of the disease itself offers hope… if only it can be grasped. “ALL” brings a Scripture readily to mind: “And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV, emphasis mine).

Every mention of the disease in its abbreviated form will thus be a prophecy…and a reminder from God that whatever happens in upcoming days, the events will unfold according to God’s plan for Brad and his wife. And we know that those plans are good.

So is Brad’s attitude, as a recent text from him shows: "I agree it’s ALL gonna work out.” Amen.

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)