Power in Weakness

by Pete Johnson on January 28, 2021

So many people today are suffering. The question that comes to mind is why me, or why them? Depending on whom you ask, that question will be answered in a variety of ways. During sufferings, an unseen tsunami of emotion can easily sweep us off our foundation of truth and cast us out into a sea of despair.  As a Christian, how should I handle suffering and all that goes with it and how should I interact with those who are going through great difficulties?

A good friend of mine is suffering, and within his suffering, his family and friends are suffering as well. Most of you may know him, some may not, but my friend’s name is Russ Edwards.  Russ is an elder here at AGC. Russ recently posted an update on Jan 22, regarding a serious life and death circumstance that he is facing.

For the entire time, I have known Russ he has always been a larger-than-life guy. A big strong man’s man. A former rescue pilot, an athlete, and a coach. Yet now the disease that he is battling is wearing his physical man down. I failed however to tell you that his most distinguished quality, to me, has always been his spiritual strength, something he would never brag about or even admit. Yet it is there, steady and strong, even now as he waits to see if his body will be strong enough to take on the treatment that it needs.

I asked Russ if I could share his update on this blog and he has permitted me to do so.

Jan 22nd Update: 
Today, Tara and I were reminded of an appropriate quote by Westley in the movie The Princess Bride…“Get used to disappointment”. The Docs told us today that my lungs are not yet healthy enough to withstand the rigors of the intense chemo required, or the transplant itself. The senior-most Doc would not sign off on it because, as our Attending explained, “We are concerned the treatment will kill you.” Now that seems to me to be a bit counterproductive. We are understandably disappointed with this turn of events and are wondering just what this new process will look like. We have decided that I will stay here in Seattle to undergo another round of chemo and some other tests while Tara goes back home to be with Brennyn, teach school, and await the green light to come down to be with me as I prepare for transplant. THAT won’t happen until the CT scan of my lungs shows significant improvement. This is a month-to-month delay until that improvement is clear.
My frustration with this development brought to mind that I have spent most of my adult life thinking I could fix problems by my wits and will, without considering whether or not that was my job to do. Now that there is NOTHING I can do to directly bring about a positive resolution to this problem…I am at a loss. {hang on, Tara just told me about some ice-cream sandwiches she got for us…I’ll be right back} I can’t fix me, I can’t fix things for Tara and our kids, I can’t fix a LOT of things. I guess it is just as well, because the job of God of the Universe is taken and already being done way better than I could dream of. I have no idea what life has in store or how it all fits together for what I think is best, or for what God KNOWS is best. It is crucial that I completely embrace the fact that, “Living well in God’s world means recognizing that when it comes to our own lives, we are not mini-gods, and this is his creation, not ours. We have all the pieces of our life given to us, and things come and go and seasons change, and it is only God who knows exactly where everything is meant to go, in which order, at what time, and why.” (David Gibson. Living Life Backward). During this perceived setback I need to remember that, to God, there is no such thing as a setback…this change for us is EXACTLY what He had planned for us. It is our job simply to trust in His perfect plan and enduring love for us, and press into Him for peace, and rest, and comfort. May that be so in my life right now as I grow in my trust of You Lord…Amen.

As a friend, I grieve for my friend, his wife, and his children. I don’t understand why this has to be. Yet seeing Russ and Tara’s response to this unexpected event draws me toward God’s Word and what the apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians.

 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

I can certainly see God’s grace in the lives of my friends. What a testimony of God’s power in weakness.

As you pray for Russ, let what God is allowing to be done in his life, have its full impact on you as well.

The Creator of the Universe is still in control. He still provides grace and peace, and He will receive glory in all that he does.

God does not need your strength: he has more than enough of power of his own. He asks your weakness: he has none of that himself, and he is longing, therefore, to take your weakness, and use it as the instrument in his own mighty hand. — Charles Spurgeon

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