Bungee Jumping, September 6
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Karen Tripp
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8a NIV).
Sitting at my desk, I see a picture of my 21-year-old son jumping off a bridge into a massive gorge. He’s attached to a giant rubber band. This picture is of his second jump. (Twice? Really?) And do you know what captures me as I look at it? His joy. He has this massive smile, with joy radiating through every pore. There is no doubt, in his mind or mine, that on that day he was alive.
This confidence that life is good and death unimaginable is typically only given to the young. But today’s verse tells of a time when this confidence filled every moment. “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” Picture Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden where God is taking an evening stroll. God created men and women to live a perfect, sin-free life in a perfect place with Him—forever. Not only was there no death, there was no fear of death—or even thoughts of death.
Months after bungee jumping, Garrett went skydiving. Afterwards, he informed me he would never do that again. It had scared him. One day, when sin entered the world, Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden knowing they would one day die. They were not created to fear death, and neither are we—but we do. Now death is real, and it’s hard to avoid living with a cancer diagnosis without days when death thoughts try to get a grip on you.
These death thoughts may be buried in:
Concerns for your next scan.
Frustrations when waiting for results.
Worries if the meds are working.
Questions if that weird ache is growing inside you.
This is not how God wants you to spend one moment or even one thought. God longs to walk with you in His garden, in the cool of the evening, with no thoughts of death and certainly with no fear. Which brings us to the cross. As Christians, we often focus on Jesus’ death freeing us from sin—but did you know He also destroyed death? (See 2 Timothy 1:10.) Think about this: if there is no death, what happens when you breathe your last breath here on earth? I believe Christians will step from this life into the next as from one breath to the next. We breathe in here and breathe out there. Imagine.
But what about the yuck that cancer brings? How can you attack each day as a 21-year-old bungee jumper with insurmountable confidence that life is good, and death is unimaginable? You must face each day remembering that as a Christ lover, death is not an ending but a glorious beginning. Your Savior, your warrior, your hero Jesus Christ abolished death so you may live life fearlessly now and forevermore. Find the freedom from fear He has already purchased for you. Ask Him to help you remember.
Pray: Jesus Christ my Savior, I hunger to live each day, each moment with no fear of death. Push me to remember that You have abolished death and have gathered me into Your loving arms for this breath, my last breath, and the next breath in life everlasting. Amen.
Your Turn: Pause for a moment. Picture your first breath in your life everlasting. Might it be in a garden, or on a mountain, or a beach? Might it be in the place God has prepared for you? You might also absorb this precious song, “Believe for It” by Cece Winans.
Karen Tripp, MS, LMFT, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Executive Director of Cancer Companions, the premiere national Christian cancer ministry (https://www.cancercompanion.org). Her roles have included authoring several Christian books including God is Bigger Than Your Cancer and working as a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is a daughter of a colon cancer survivor. Karen uses her experience to teach how to step into another person’s struggle to help build their faith while strengthening your own.
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
