Cancer As Goodness & Mercy
This past Sunday I was exposed to an amazing realization thanks to my friend Lee McDerment. Over the past few weeks, I have struggled with the idea of having cancer. I have attempted to retain the idea that there is a purpose in this and that good can come of it.
I know that God is with me — He is my leader; He is my shepherd. As Lee said, “God is not holding out on you, He is holding you.” Lee also read Psalm 23, a familiar passage.
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
It seems to me that recognizing that “goodness and mercy shall follow me” is simply an attitude we can each have no matter what is happening.
Let me be clear: Zac having cancer is good. I recognize that I may die from cancer. But it is good that I have time to recognize that. God is merciful to me for allowing me to spend more time with my wife, my kids and my friends. God is good for giving me doctors that I trust and medicine that is helpful. God is good for giving me a voice to talk about Him. It is good that all who read this and all who know me must recognize that I love God and that God loves me. It is good that this shows God is bigger than cancer, bigger than me, bigger than you, and bigger than any valley of shadow of death.
Let me be clearer: Having cancer is the best thing that could possibly happen to me right now.
Lee then sang a song which deeply affected me. Do yourself a favor and watch all of this:
Love you, man. Thanks for being open to God’s work in you, it’s an inspiration. – Felllow Newspringer…
Hi there, Zac. You don’t know me, but I spent a lot of time with your mom in Quito, mostly at El Inca women’s prison, and also was blessed with time spent with Stacey at Precious Miracles, and of course out and about in Quito. I have heard much about you over the years, so I sort of feel like I do know you.
I just learned today of your cancer diagnosis, and want to tell you that you and your family are in our prayers. I lost my brother to lymphoma (in his colon) in January 2003, weeks after we moved to Quito. My husband lost his brother to colorectal cancer September 2007, the day before we left Quito to move back to the U.S. Both losses were huge for us. But my grandad survived colorectal cancer for probably 18 years, and lived to the ripe old age of 98. I should add that when he was 96, he painted the exterior of his little house, and even climbed up onto the ROOF of his house to check out the shingles. So, I have seen both ends of the spectrum, I guess you could say.
Your blog has touched me immensely. What a glorious Saviour we have in Jesus Christ, our King. Our Healer, our Comforter, our strength and our salvation.
My prayer for you and your family is that His perfect Will be done in all your lives, and that He provide you all with the strength and courage to face the challenges you encounter through the process of your treatment. And that you FEEL His perfect peace and comfort, knowing that He is in charge. And that He be glorified through it all.
My dad, who now suffers from advanced Alzheimer’s, quoted Romans 8:28 to me all of my life when I struggled with the events facing me : “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” What a blessing for you, and for your family, that you so obviously see this Scripture at work in your own life right now. Thank you for your blog that reveals to the world your faith, and absolute trust in our Father. I will be checking back for updates here. Please tell your mom that I love her.
Zac, I am in no way equating my wreck with your battle with cancer, but I can tell you that I, too, have embraced my challenge. It really is amazing that God can show us that walking through the valley is a huge blessing to us. He is refining you, your family, your friends and everyone else who reads about your journey. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life! WOW! What comfort there is in that. I am praying for God to work in your life exactly according to His plan for you. And praying that He will equip and guide those of us who love you to be and do exactly what you need us to.
Thank you for sharing your story with us….much to learn from you, wise man!
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Go LEE! Awesome word.
Zac,
It has been a long time and unfortunate that it takes these types of circumstances to get back in touch with old friends and classmates. As the school year ended last week, it dawned on me that it has been 15 years for us AA ‘94ers. I am a closet Facebooker and quietly keep in touch with some of the old clan.
There really isn’t much I can say that you haven’t already heard or read. I also have enjoyed reading your posts and how you put things into such a visual and understandable perspective. Through your writing, I feel more encouraged and comforted in the spiritual strength that you have knowing and understanding that He is in control. Your openness and honesty is real. I have never blamed or been mad at God, though I have questioned Him several times in my life. I honestly don’t know how I would handle going through what you are going through. I have not seen you write anything negative, it is all positive. My dad (Mr. T) went through Prostate cancer 4 years ago and triple bypass surgery 3 years ago..doing fine now. I have seen Gods healing before, but never did I hear my dad talk about dying and being okay with it…though I am sure he is, but to be as open to it with so many people you do not know or haven’t been in contact with for years is amazing. What a great witness you have been to so many through this! I shared with my students last week in a public high school how upbeat and ‘okay’ you are…and then they start asking questions….so many have already been reached.
To see two former classmates going through cancer breaks my heart, especially since I have not kept in close contact in the last 15 years! I feel guilty getting back in touch now! I am praying for both you and Dan and your families that Gods will be done and the acceptance of that will both honor and bring glory to God.
JP, Ruth, and Jackson Turner
Hey Zac,
Once again, you minister to me! Well, now you know what you’re facing, at least part of it. Goodness and mercy is the promise of the day and we’re praying for you to rest in, and take peace from that everyday of the journey ahead.
In your last blog you mentioned the possibility of neuropathy in your hands. My little brother, Billy, had diabetic neurapathy in his hands and feet. It kept him from learning to read braille but never stopped him from being a total computer whiz. He typed all the way to the end of his life…if fact, it was the last thing he did before he took his own life March 24th. My little brother felt pretty desperate and depressed about lots of stuff and he didn’t have cancer. He had suffered a lot in his life though and that suffering took a huge toll on him because in part, he lived in denial of the disease that took so much from him. I refer to Billy only because when I pray for you, I pray that you will continue to gain spiritual insight that gives you strength but that your spirit man also continues in total submission to the will of God. No denial!
Chronic illness is very debilitating for the one suffering and for those watching. Never giving up is easy to say this side of pain and vomiting! I know you’ll have some hard days but you will also have some GREAT victories because of all that God will teach you and your family during this trial. I, personally, am praying that God heals you outright. Punto! But, I know he can do that thru medicine and those good doctors you mentioned. The courage to choose LIFE, as you said in one of your blogs, will be a challenge some days. But I pray with all my heart you continue to choose LIFE. I wish my little brother had done the same.
We serve a God who gives that all sufficient grace. I pray He bathes you and Mandy and your kids in it every single day. Love and blessings.
me
Dear brother,
This is the second time I have written to you. The first time I spent an hour, lead by God’s love and compassion flowing through me to you, writting words of encouragement and helpful sites to visit. However, just as I was about ready to send it I accidently closed the wrong window and lost it all ;(
My flesh didn’t want to do this again but Gods love for you compells me to put aside everything I should be doing to do rewrite a message to you beloved. So here goes…..
I want to commend you and thank you for your love and praise for God and your realisation of Gods presence and comfort in your life, even during your trials and tribulations, even in the midst of your storm. This is obviously a great inspiration to you and all who know you, keep it up brother.
I wish to add to your joy and peace by sharing truth with you that your loving Father has made a provision for your physical healing in the atonement of the Lord Jesus and the great plans and purposes God has for you do not have to be cut short by the enemy who is trying to steal away your life, John 10:10,
By the stripes of Jesus you were healed and you can learn to renew your mind and heart to this wonderful truth and activate your faith to regain what the enemy is stealing from you. It is a battle, a good fight of faith to inherit the promises of God, as you well know, it is never easy but it is possible and I pray you will see the victory in this life as well as the one to come. However, even if you lose the battle in this life, you are a winner in Jesus and His Life is eternal and nothing can seperate you from that.
Your faith in God is touching and changing lives but the potential to continue this is there if you are willing to take a stand and fulfil the fullness of days God has for you.
There is no condemnation from God or your brothers and sisters in Jesus if you lose this physical battle, you have an eternal victory in the Lord which cannot be stolen but you can see victory here in this physical life too dear brother. You can learn how to resist the enemy and see God perform His supernatural wonders in your life now on this earth so that you may continue to share the Gospel of His love and grace and be a powerful witness to many for long healthy years to come.
Take time to visit these sites below and find more as the Holy Spirit leads you. Read the gospels and meditate on them, read books and contact people who have learned how to overcome sickness by Gods power and grace. Fight the good fight of faith beloved.
It will possibly be the greatest challenge of your life but if you take it up be prepared that you will have to re-evaluate some of your believing and philosophy. Some things you will need to learn, re-learn, or adjust to conform to Gods revealed truth in His Word. It will be hard on your flesh and ego but, if you are willing to become a living sacrifice and renew your mind to conform to His Word and delete any bad programming or viruses that may have compromised your faith and thinking, you will see God powerfully perform His Word in you and through you, to His glory and for your benefit and blessing.
Please contact me if you wish. No matter what happens, God loves you and so do I.
There is sooooooooooooooo much more, let God be true, grace and peace to you in Jesus name.
God bless you brother,
I look forward to hearing from you.
Love your sister, Michelle
Reminds me of the quote by someone I can’t remember… It’s become one of my favorites.
“Don’t tell your God how big your storm is, tell your storm how big your God is!”