Restoration #5 of 9-When God “Re-Calls” You, August 5
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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Written by Justin Wood
“He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish” (John 21:6 NIV).
Cancer journeys look and feel a lot like that of the kid’s book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.1 The book explains that if you give a mouse a cookie, it will want a glass of milk, then a straw, then a mirror to see its milk mustache, then scissors to trim its hair, then a broom to sweep all the floors, then a nap to rest, then a book to read before the nap, then a picture to draw, then tape to hang the picture on the fridge—then the mouse will be reminded it is thirsty and wants a glass of milk and then probably another cookie.
Cancer (and any traumatic event) forces us into survival mode so that we begin to forget our bigger purposes in life. One aspect of our cancer recovery process is to “re-call” our purpose, our mission in life. “Re-call” has two meanings: 1) Recall is to remember. 2) Re-call is to call again—as in God calling you again.
In today’s verse, Jesus needed to recall the disciples to Himself and to their purpose by reminding them of their calling. Why? After the crucifixion, the disciples were left with deep trauma and uncertainty of what to do next.
Three years before the crucifixion, Jesus had called His disciples. One day they had fished all night. Caught nothing. Jesus told them to go out and let down their nets again. Bam! Nets full of fish. Then, Jesus called them to become fishers of men. (See Luke 5.)
Now, three years later, the disciples fished all night. Caught nothing. Jesus stood on the shore and told them to throw their nets on the other side. Bam! Net full of fish. Jesus “re-called” them back to become fishers of men. If the disciples needed to hear Jesus “re-calling” them, then you and I probably need to be “re-called,” too. God is not done with you. Your cancer hasn’t put you on a shelf. Instead, Jesus is ready to remind you again.
Pray: Jesus, You know that my cancer journey has distracted me. Please re-call me back to You and Your purpose in my life. Amen.
Your Turn: “Re-call” your calling. On a piece of paper, write or draw out the different things you have felt called to, and then sit down with a friend and talk through this paper.
1. Laura Numeroff, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (New York: HarperCollins, 1985).
Justin Wood, Childhood Cancer Survivor
Justin lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky with his wife and six homeschooled kids. Through his life, Justin has become a wonderful mix of entrepreneur, English teacher, and foreign missionary. He is a survivor of childhood cancer. Justin is very grateful for Cancer Companions and the opportunity to be a part of this devotional writing process.
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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