The Ministry of Simple Presence, January 8
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Tom Corbell
“If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:22-24 NIV).
The apostle Paul was not afraid of life or death! Either way, he wanted to magnify Christ in his body. No wonder he had joy!
Paul wrote today’s verse while sitting in prison. Paul confessed that he was facing a difficult dilemma. To remain alive was necessary for the believers' benefit in Philippi, but to depart and be with Christ was far better. Paul understood that Christ would have him remain in order to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul understood he was chosen -chosen to endure the struggles of this life.
A few years ago, I had the privilege to know a wonderful member of my church who fought a heroic battle with cancer. For her funeral meditation, I wrote these words: “A few days ago [the member] and I were alone. I mentioned her suffering, and she said something that left me speechless. She said, ‘I was chosen.’”
Those words, "I was chosen" spoke of her bedrock faith in the midst of suffering.
Did I, her pastor, change her cancer condition? No. What I gave to her can be summed up in the tender words of Henri Nouwen in his book Out of Solitude:
When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. (1)
As he was sitting in prison, you might imagine Paul felt powerless. Sitting with a cancer diagnosis can bring feelings of powerlessness, too. There are so many things you cannot control. No one wants to endure struggles, yet it is in these struggles you can begin to truly understand Paul’s belief that being with Christ is better by far.
What a blessing if you have a friend or two who can sit with you in “the reality of our powerlessness.” But know this, Christ is sitting with you. He might bring you a cure or a healing, but know with certainty that Christ always brings His ultimate power to carry you through any struggle and into His loving arms.
Pray: Father, let me face each struggle I cannot control empowered with the certainty that is You. Amen.
Your Turn: Look at these beautiful lyrics and enjoy this song, “To live is Christ” by Sidewalk Prophets:
My great desire is to be with You
But this is the place You chose for me
This is the place You chose for me
To lift my cross and give everything
This is the time You gave to me
This is the time You gave to me (2)
1. Henri J. M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude (Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 2004).
2. “Sidewalk Prophets – to Live Is Christ.” Genius. Accessed August 17, 2023. https://genius.com/Sidewalk-prophets-to-live-is-christ-lyrics.
Tom Corbell, Hospice Pastor
Tom is a Lutheran pastor who has served Jesus in both North and South Carolina for forty-nine years. Six of those years he worked as a Hospice Chaplain, and he encountered cancer daily. The privilege of praying, working with and supporting cancer patients and their families is an honor.
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.
