Gravity Always Works, May 19
Written by Justin Wood
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 NIV).
Gravity always works. The day you were diagnosed … chemo and radiation days … being wheeled into surgery … gravity worked. Gravity doesn’t take the day off because you feel bad. I dare you to find a time when gravity does not work. Set your alarm for two a.m. and see if gravity is taking the night off. Gravity is surrounding you and pulling on you all the time.
In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul tells us of another force that is impacting us all the time: the love of God. But let’s be really clear, God’s love isn’t a force field of warm fuzzy feelings, unicorns, and fairy dust. Instead of a force field, maybe we could see God’s love as an indestructible cable that will pull us through life?
Some days, cancer seems to illuminate this wonderful cable, and you feel the pull of God’s love with complete certainty. Yet, other cancer days can leave you numb. Your head may still be certain the cable of God’s love is indestructible—but in your heart, you somehow feel separated from God by the strain of cancer.
Listen. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, because it always works. The day you were diagnosed … chemo and radiation days … being wheeled into surgery … the love of God always worked. The love of God doesn’t take the day off because you feel bad. Just like gravity, God’s love is surrounding you all the time.
The Apostle Paul gives us some bad news and good news in today’s verses.
The bad news is that some dreadful events might be coming your way. You may experience some demons, some devils, some hardship, and maybe even some cancer. The love of God won’t magically make the suffering in the world stop.
The good news in our verse for today is that nothing—no good thing, no bad thing— “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” No demons or devils or cancer or hardship can separate you from the love of God. This also means that no feelings of isolation or loneliness or despair can separate you from the love of God.
All the things outside of you. All the things inside of you. Nothing is able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Nothing.
Pray: Jesus, too often I feel separated from Your love. Like gravity, I am just not aware. Starting now, show me what Your love looks like day to day, moment by moment. Amen.
Your Turn: Consider how much gravity impacts you, even when you don’t pay attention to it. Consider how much the love of God impacts you—even when you don’t pay attention to it. Think of a time you knew with certainty that God loves you.
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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