Battle for Life

John, the "apostle of love," penned these words two thousand years ago:

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16

Do you battle for your life? As you read this; do you know someone who is battling for their life? As a Christian woman, I urge you to pray specifically for someone who passes through the valley of death this day.

It is my concern that the average Christian does not have the understanding of what a life-threatening disease means to another. With this in mind, most Christians react very little to serious health news of someone outside their immediate family.

If you know of a fellow saint who battles for their life and you have not been moved greatly through fervent tear-filled prayers for their trial; I would urge you to become intelligent about their illness. Knowledge gives us the necessary synergy to get a hold of God and to bewail over the precious soul of someone who may need your prayers desperately this day. But don’t let your love stop there!

God move us to deep sorrow, tears, praying, and fasting. Unfortunately, our churches are filled with numb Christians – until the battle is theirs!

Authentic love, the kind of love God imparts to His children, is not measured by the intensity of our emotions but by the extent of our sacrifice for others. Many friends, family, physicians, nurses and therapists must go beyond any reasonable expectation in helping a family and individual during their trial. There will be no monument to our love here on earth, but the remembrance of our actions will endure for an eternity.

Love sealed the victory, which began in faith and was sustained by the hope of future redemption in God's kingdom. As time goes on memories will fade, the medical records will be purged and this trial will be forgotten here on earth. Those who played a part will grow old and die. Photographs and stories may remind later generations but they will never comprehend the intensity of the battle for a friend’s life, the emotional pain his family and friends endure in the waiting room or the downright hard work of hundreds of people who will care for his family and him personally. But the faith, hope and love of everyone involved in this drama will transcend this time-space existence and be transformed into praise and honor to the Lord Jesus for all eternity.

“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7

Let us ask whether this Divine love dwells in our own hearts. Has this principle guided us into appropriate behavior to all men? Are we willing to lay aside selfish objects and aims? There is a call to watchfulness, diligence, and prayer for the life of someone who we know – battles for their life!

I Love You,
Deborah