Today’s ‘Guest Writer’ is Paul Canvin
At this time a lot of us are more anxious than usual, not helped by the lack of holidays and the isolation of lockdown. So, I felt moved to share a few things with you. I think that the best place to start is with a personal example.
A few years ago I got rushed into hospital with acute stomach pain, with the blue lights flashing I reached the QE far faster than ever before. They dosed me up with the relevant medication, sorted the pain with pills and potions, then sent me off for a scan, a couple of days later. I had guessed correctly that a life of eating far too much fat had caused gallstones to form, what I wasn’t expecting was that the doctor, doing the scan, was going to tell me that he had some bad news and some worse news. The bad news was that the gallstones were now chronic and the worse news was that it looked like I had kidney cancer. Being brought up in the 60s, cancer, in those days, was a death sentence. It still brings tears to my eyes to remember having to call my wife, Jacque, and tell her the results. I remember every step that I walked across the car park, on the mobile, as if it were yesterday. A few weeks later I underwent an operation that took several hours and the squeamish amongst you will not want to know that they inserted a balloon to blow up my side in order to get to my kidney and operate on it. Keyhole surgery it was not!
A few months ago I had to go to see my GP and, as I am not good with these sort of things, Jacque insisted in going with me. The Doctor asked if I had ever had any serious illnesses and I said “No”. Jacque then pointed out that I had suffered with Guillain-Barré syndrome, Cancer, Gallstones, Blocked bile duct… she forget the Kidney Stones. The point that I am making is that these were extremely worrying, at the time, until I learned to trust the Lord to sort things out – even then I wobbled a bit, every now and again. The night before I went in for my cancer operation, I slipped out and posted a letter to Jacque to tell her how much I had loved my time with her. It was timed to arrive the day after the operation, in case I was not on this earth any more.
As you have probably guessed by now, the Lord saw me (well us) through this difficult time and I am fully recovered.
So, although it is always darkest before the dawn, the dawn will come.
I want to share Philippians 4:6 in the New Living Translation:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done”
and Psalm 23:4 in the Tree of Life Version
“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 comfort me”
Then Exodus 23:25 in the Easy To Read Version
“You must serve the LORD your God. If you do this, I will bless you with plenty of bread and water. I will take away all sickness from you.”
I suggest that you pray, then play “I can see clearly now” by Jimmy Cliff (available on YouTube), but listen to the lyrics. Not a traditional hymn but I love the words. Note the rainbow reference that confirms a long-standing promise, as we know.
Next look at the verses below in different translations and use any commentaries that you like to use and pray again, followed by repeating the song (many versions by many singers are available on the internet). I don’t know about you but it helps me realise that we will get through this – SARS looked like it was going to be here for ever between 2002 and 2004, but there have not been any known cases of SARS reported anywhere in the world since the end of 2004.
As I wrap up, let me give you a few more verses to look at:
Philippians 4:6-7 (New International Version)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
And don’t forget, whatever the “new normal” is:
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up” 😊
That one is Proverbs 12:25 (NIV again (my favourite)).
Finally, I feel that we should finish with 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV):
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
P.S. from Stephen. I’m guessing that with the many different translations of the bible Paul has quoted, he has visited the website I mentioned on Sunday ‘Bible Gateway’.
If you are wanting to come to church on Sunday (10:30am or 6:30pm) you still need each week to book a place. If you have already done so through the Leader who is in contact with you, then email turvesgreenbaptists@gmail.com to book a place.
I look forward to sharing a message with you on Sunday - Stephen