Getting Real, May 17
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Thomas Sherrod
“And Jesus said, ‘Who touched Me?’” (Luke 8:45 NKJV)
Have you ever been called by your full name? I knew it was about to get serious when my mother included my middle name. It was something in her tone of voice. Maybe it was the inflection or the volume that gave it away. But there was no mistaking that “things were about to get real.” What might have been a half-hearted request was now of primary importance.
Jesus was on His way to Jairus’ house to see about his dying daughter. A throng of people surrounded Jesus. The crowd grew and pressed upon Him along the way. Most of the crowd was just curious. They knew He was a healer of some sort. But suddenly something changed. Jesus felt a different kind of touch. He felt power go forth from Him. He immediately stopped and asked, “Who touched Me?”
Jesus knows when the games are over, and we are ready to get real. The woman who touched Jesus was no mere spectator. She was not there for the show. She meant business. A meaningful connection was made. It was powerful. And it was healing.
You may have reached out to God in a different way while coping with cancer. You may have reached the “end of your rope.” You may have thought, “I have nothing to lose.” You may have related to God in a more vulnerable or forceful manner. I believe God loves it when we let go of all pretension.
God knows all our thoughts anyway. What have we got to hide? Who do we think we are fooling? God welcomes and desires our transparency. Culture may attempt to shame or repress raw emotion or unfiltered thoughts. But Scripture is clear. God knows when we get real with Him. Jesus says, “Who touched me?”
God can handle our disappointments and our anger. He welcomes our questions and our cries for help. He is forgiving of our failures. He longs for that intimate connection with His children. Ask God to embolden you to risk becoming more real with Him. Ask for help to remove the masks that present a false self. Trust Him to hold you close as you reveal yourself to Him in prayer.
Pray: Lord, thank You for empowering me to trust You. Thank You for Your patience when I try to hide and run from You. Remind me Your deepest desire is to walk with me and shepherd me through this season. Help me to let go of trying to conform to the world’s pattern. Transform me by the renewing of my mind. Amen.
Your Turn: Imagine Jesus saying to you, “Who touched Me?” Ask for God’s courage to release fear and embrace His love.
Thomas W. Sherrod, Cancer Survivor
Tom is a retired hospital chaplain who works part time for Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health System in North Carolina. He organized and facilitated a cancer support group for twenty years as part of his hospital ministry. He is married for forty-four years and enjoys his three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. He is a recent survivor of prostate cancer and is immensely thankful for all of God's grace and provisions through it all.
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.
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