As I have had a lot of time to reflect on things since my diagnosis, one thing has become clear to me. God has been preparing me for this current journey for some time. In July 2015 (about the time the oncologist said I probably contracted cancer) I spoke at Life Community Church on the story of Lazarus found in John 11. That particular message was one that I worked on for about 3 months off and on. At the time I gave the message, I encouraged people to take notes and I quote from my notes: “because this is one of those message for the body of Christ that we need to refer to every now and then. If you are going through a difficult situation, this message is for you. If you are not going through a difficult time, well, as we all know, you will”.

Little did I realize that this message was also for me.

The major points are below:

God always knows what is going on.

We are surprised when we lose our jobs or get a diagnosis of cancer, but God is never surprised.

God always has a plan.

Because He is not surprised, God has figured out how to use these tragedies in our lives for His purpose.

God’s plans always encompass reality.

Our plans never include losing our jobs or getting cancer (reality).  Our plans are based on everything always going perfect, which is not reality. God’s plans include the tragedies that happen as part of living in this messed up world.

God’s plan always encompasses eternity.

Our plans seldom encompass eternity, but that is always God’s main objective.

We don’t die.  We don’t ever die.

When it’s all over, it’s not really over. We just relocate to a better place.

We seldom comprehend God’s plan.

Because we only see what is in front of us, we seldom comprehend what God is trying to accomplish with His plan.

God seldom performs the way we want Him to.

We know God does not perform for us, but we sometimes act as if we think He should. He will never perform for us.

We can take comfort in these words, “I am the resurrection and the life, whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25).

For those of us who are Christ followers, He is there at the end of this life opening the door to a better, eternal life.

I have reread these words many times in the past few weeks and I wouldn’t change a word. I believed it then and I believe it today.