God Is Bigger Than a Job Hunt, July 19
Written by Karen Tripp
“‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will’” (Mark 14:36 NIV).
It’s easy to find advice on how to hunt for a job. There are books and videos galore—and, of course, the advice of your friends. “Your suit is too bland and your resume too long.” “You’ve got to start tweeting, get Linked In, and, of course, build a massive friends list.” Everybody has words of wisdom to share, but have you noticed that it’s easy to believe there’s a job out there when you’re not the one who needs the job?
This is not only true with jobs, but with miracles, too. Sitting around a Bible study or prayer group discussing the existence of miracles in the world today is much different than being on your knees asking God for a miracle in your own life. When we kneel before the Lord God Almighty asking for a miracle it is no longer a theoretical debate, it’s a true step of faith. Do you ask God to make the impossible possible?
Sometimes, when you really want a miracle, it’s hard to ask. Each of us have probably come to the end of a road where nothing but a miracle will bring relief. The road to divorce, the road to hospice, to court, to jail or even the road to the unemployment office can be frightening. Jesus found Himself facing the end of a very frightening road.
On the night He was arrested, Jesus prayed to His Father for the desire of His heart. He prayed for God to intercede and take away the cross. In our verse for today, Jesus prayed, "Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.” Jesus knew that EVERYTHING was possible for God, even changing His path to the cross. But to save His Son from suffering, God would lose the salvation of you and me and of all His beloved children. That was not God’s will. Jesus asked, but His road to the cross did not change.
I wonder if it was hard for Jesus to ask God to change His road. After all, when Jesus prayed, He said, “not what I will but what you will.” Knowing God has the final word when we pray should not make us pray for less, it should make us pray for more. Why? Because each granted prayer is perfectly in line with the will of our heavenly Father. Each time your kids succeed or your spouse returns home safely, your prayer was answered in perfect accordance with God’s will. Miracles are no different.
Don’t let the strength of your desire for a miracle stop you from praying. It didn’t stop Jesus. Jesus knew that the outcome of His prayer would leave Him in the midst of God’s will. Where else would any of us want to be? Don’t hold back. Ask your heavenly Father for the desires of your heart, even if they are miraculous.
Pray: Jesus, ALL THINGS are possible through You, and so I ask You to remove all of the cancer cells from my body once and forevermore. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: How does the prayer above make you feel? Is this something you would like to pray more often? Is this something you would like to ask others to pray for you?
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.
