Boxing Tips From Paul

I am in the middle of my second cycle of chemotherapy as I write this latest addition to my blog.  Today, I felt like putting on boxing gloves and landing a hard upper cut on my opponent, breast cancer.  Two of my high school classmates reminded me on Facebook today of our old High School track coach, Neil Morgan who was a tough, but fair drill Sargent.  They encouraged me by saying chemo is nothing like those brutal training sessions we experienced back in the day.  This is interesting, because I was reading 1 Corinthians 9: 26-27.  “Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly, I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”.  Then, later in Timothy 6:12 I read, “Fight the good fight of the faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses”. God’s timing is so perfect!  I really needed to hear these words today.       

The Apostle Paul here is using the example of a runner and a boxer to represent the Christian life.  God does not want his children to aimlessly go through life, like a boxer swinging in the air.  God wants us to discipline our bodies and minds in a way that honors Christ.  Paul was addressing the baby church of Corinth, where people were counting on some special experience - namely, baptism and the Lord's Supper - to save them. They looked upon these things not only as signs that they were "in" the Christian race, but they believed these experiences guaranteed they could earn their salvation. 

Many people today have this same outlook. They look back to the fact that they were baptized or "confirmed" at some point in their life. They look back to a time when they felt broken or ashamed over something in their life.  In the midst of that shame, they cried out to God. For another, nostalgia draws them back to a meeting they once attended where they were asked to raise their hand and say a prayer to invite Jesus into their heart.   Being a Christian is not merely something that happens to you, it is something that happens in you. I have run my fair share of races in my younger years.  I understand that merely being in a race doesn’t guarantee you will win, nor even finish strong.  Paul tells the Corinthians to exercise self-control and to run like a person who intends to win. The prize given to athletes in Corinth was a crown made of laurel leaves.  It was a perishable prize. The reward given to a Christian however is eternal life and it will never perish.  

The question I pose to myself and to you dear brother and sister, is how are you running the race today?  I am going through the greatest battle of my life.  Breast Cancer is the struggle I have been handed at present.  I don’t want to be swinging my fists aimlessly at the air.  When I fall, I intend to get up and finish the race strong.  I still struggle with sin and I want to glorify God, but some days it is hard.  Continuing in the struggle is where faith and grace play a huge part.  No matter how much my body takes a beating or how easily I get discouraged, this boxer plans to plant her feet firmly in the gospel.  I have no intention of winning second place.  I trust in my salvation and I know where my future prize lies.  I believe Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah who paid to God the price of my sins through the blood he sacrificed on the cross.  He died and rose in resurrected glory three days later, just as the old prophesies said he would (Isaiah 9:6-7; Ezekiel 37:1-14) This is what ignites my faith and encourages every stride I take in the race. Not even cancer or the prospect of my untimely death can dampen my spirit and the thrill of winning this eternal prize.

With unfailing determination, we must run in order to receive a “crown of righteousness which the LORD, the righteous judge, will award…on that day” (2Timothy 4:8).  God has challenged me to proclaim His truth when he called me into the role as Teaching Director for our local Community Bible Study in Collegeville, Pa.  I intend to serve Him until I can longer fill my lungs with breath, then He he will place the imperishable crown upon my head.  I will share the gospel, the way to eternal life through Christ with anyone who will listen (or not).  It is the only good news one can cling to for hope in times of trial.  God's children are precious to Him and He never leaves your side.   I will continue to fight my battle, but I will also give Him glory, saying, “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57) It may be my fight, but it is for His glory!

Thorny Paths to Sweet Rewards

Earlier this week I went foraging for wild raspberries in my woods. Thousands of these tiny red fruits were everywhere under the canopy of oaks.  I needed only 10 cups to make a batch of homemade jam.  The problem with wild raspberries, however, is they have torturous thorns that really sting if they pierce your skin. Wearing protective clothing and boots, I carefully navigated the brambles, filling my bucket (and belly) along the way.  Pride in my self-sufficiency and thinking ahead to the sweet reward of my home-made jam on morning toast had distracted me from my task.  Suddenly, I was trapped by thousands of dagger sharp vines because I had forgotten to clear a path for my return.  

Isn’t this just like life?  We find ourselves confidently plugging along, so comfortable in our routines that we can become entangled by our sin.  Even when we come to our senses and recognize our need to change direction, we can not escape…at least, not in our own strength.  This is why we need the hope of Christ.  By confessing our sin to God and turning control of our life over to His son Jesus, we can be set free from the sting of our sin.  Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

No amount of good deeds on your life's journey are sufficient to fill your bucket and pay your entrance to heaven.  Jesus alone has cleared a safe, but narrow path for us to follow.  He wore a crown of thorns and felt the sting of our sins when He died on the cross.   We travel this path in faith, believing it will see us safely to the other side of eternity where our sweet reward will be seeing God face to face.  The question is, have you put your faith in Him alone? Have you acknowledged your own sinfulness and need for Jesus?

No matter how tough life gets here on earth, our sweet reward of eternal life will never lose its power.  As I struggle with cancer and an unknown prognosis, what a huge relief it is to know that there is so much more to life.  I couldn’t imagine navigating the thorny path of cancer without Jesus by my side.  The Bible is very clear on this point.  “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36 NIV).  

Will you choose to join me and place your faith in Christ and desire the sweet reward of eternal life with Him?  It may be our fight, but it is all for His glory!

Learning to Suffer Well

I have been in bed for the past three days recovering from a 7-hour chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.  There is extreme pain in the bones, nausea and other side effects that I will spare you from.  I can however with all honesty say I have learned to suffer well.  The scriptures and talking with God through prayer have been a huge source of my comfort.  I am preparing lessons for next year’s bible study and doing quite a bit of personal reading on the side.  Other than television, there isn’t much else to do when confined to bed.  I wish you could understand how the comfort of my Savior has been with me.  After all, He above all knows what it means to suffer well. 

One of the Bible’s most misquoted and used verses comes from Philippians 4:13 “ I can do all things through him who strengthens me”.  You see it tattooed on professional athletes and shouted from the goal posts.  I too have often quoted this verse in various situations.  But this verse doesn’t apply to only winners scoring a touchdown or acing an exam.  When the Apostle Paul wrote this, he had just been brutally beaten and was imprisoned for his faith.  Prison is certainly enough to defeat anyone’s spirit.  But, instead of grumbling and shaking his fist at God for his difficult circumstances, Paul chose to have patience, to endure his trials.  Why?  Well, look to the preceding verses for the answer.

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”(4: 1-13).   

We are to turn to God in ALL situations and look to Christ for hope when trials come.  We are to quote this verse when the battle is won as well as in defeat.  Fighting cancer right now is the battle I have been handed.  I am not going to let my sufferings rob me of the joy I have in the hope of my eternal life with Christ in Heaven.  I also get to spend a LOT more time talking with him during these long days and nights in bed.  I refuse to allow the enemy of God to harden my Spirit.  In fact, I am holding on to the comfort and hope the Holy Spirit provides in these battles.  I can because I have faith that Christ paid the ultimate wages to God for my sins, through his death and resurrection.  Christ suffered for me and you so that we can receive comfort offered by his Father. 

What ever battle you are in, know that you too can have eternal comfort of the Father.  But in the mean time, we will face many personal struggles on earth.  Will you choose to suffer well, as Christ suffered for you?