We visited the eye specialist thinking it would be an easy fix, like changing my husband Bill’s eye prescription. Earlier that week, Bill admitted that when driving, the single car approaching him on the right now appeared as two separate vehicles. Not good. The doctor talked to him for about twenty minutes and immediately scheduled Bill for an emergency deep tissue brain MRI. Feelings of dread filled out hearts. This was definitely more than a bump in the road; this was a giant pothole.
MORE THAN A POTHOLE
Bill is claustrophobic and it took 3 tries before they were able to get him into the narrow tube for the 45-minute-deep tissue MRI. The technician told us Bill had a brain tumor. It was Friday, which meant a very long weekend until the appointment with the neurologist Monday morning. The irony of the situation was that Bill, just a few weeks before, had decided to take a huge step of faith and resign from his ministry position and to become open to wherever God wanted him. This was bigger than a pothole.
Monday came. The tumor was a benign pituitary tumor pressing on the optic nerve which was causing the double vision. It was inoperable. Hence, the doctor prescribed drug therapy to shrink the tumor.
THE TERROR OF POTHOLES
My husband is not one to jump into decisions (whereas, I often just want to know which particular cliff to jump off of) ……So, in the car, I told Bill I was okay if he wanted to reconsider his previous decision to step out on faith regarding his ministry career. I still remember the certainty and strength in his voice when he replied, “No, I’m still going to obey.” That my dear friends is faith. Stepping into the unknown, especially when the unknown is unfathomable. Sometimes potholes are terrifying.
OUR TRAVELING COMPANION
Psalm 91 kept going through my head. “He would dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” When Daniel’s friends were in the fiery furnace, it wasn’t like God said “Oh, my goodness! How in the world did that one happen?!”. Jesus walked with them through the flames. God was not walking Bill and me around the fire, God was accompanying us through the fire and through the pit.
FOCUSING OFF THE FIRE
We had to choose to get our focus off the fire and look up to see the face of our Traveling Companion, Jesus. “The person who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Amen and amen!
Have you invited Him to not only join your journey, but to also lead the journey, regardless of the potholes? Listen to the true story of George Whitefield, one who ran through the potholes.
