We Will Be Okay

"We will be okay." These were the words spoken to me last night in the front yard of a couple from our church. He is near retirement and a seasoned follower of Jesus. God rescued him from a life of sin where he rode in a motorcycle gang in his younger years. He has traveled the world with his job. At the end of his year he is looking forward to retirement.

We talked in his front yard for a long time. Several times he told me, "We will be okay." These words were not spoken against the backdrop of a luxurious life in retirement. They were spoken against the backdrop of learning his wife of multiple decades was diagnosed with two inoperable brain tumors.

He went on to tell me that he might not like the road they are called to walk nor the outcome of that road. In eternity they would be okay. No matter if God chooses to heal his wife or chooses to call her home he trusts God.

His faith inspired me. The peace he had awed me. He and his wife had planned on retirement and relocating near his children in another state. There house here is already on the market. Now those plans might be on hold. The treatment of his wife now taking top priority.

We talked out in his front yard after we had gathered for prayer inside the house. He walked me out and we talked for a long time. I stood like a sponge soaking up water soaking up the words of wisdom he shared. I made the visit to comfort and encourage them. I left the one challenged and encouraged by their faith in a real life crisis.

For the followers of Jesus we will be okay. Many of us will face adversity. There will be battles with cancer, career failures, and countless other heart wrenching trials. Some of us will lose our spouses way before we wanted. Others will make a fortune only to watch it all disappear due to circumstances beyond their control. Others will have their plans for retirement dashed against the harsh rocks of reality. No matter what we face we will be okay. Okay as we traverse the trails of adversity as well as okay in eternity.

How can I write that? Because of the truth of God's word. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [Rom 8:28] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ jesus our Lord. [Rom 8:38-39] Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And let the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension shall guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. [Phil 4:6-7] Call to Me in the day of trouble and I will rescue you and you will honor Me. [Ps 50:15]

There are hundreds and hundreds of other verses assuring us that we will be okay as we follow God. We might not like the road we have to walk. That road may get very hard and test our faith in ways we could never imagine. That will not change the fact that God loves us. It will not change the fact that He offers peace in place of anxiety. It will not change the truth that God works all things together for good to those who love God and are called according to good and gracious purposes.

I am not saying there may not be prayerful times of weeping and countless questions of why. Like my brother exhorted me, "We will be okay." This is more than sentimental sap. This is truth. This is the rock solid foundation you can build your life on. God will sustain us in the day to day grind of life. He will also save us in eternity through the sacrificial death atoning our sins in Jesus. Either way we will be okay.

Those few moments in that brother's front yard were more valuable to me than many of the years I spent in a classroom. I drove the twenty six miles home in silence. No radio or cd player. I drove praying for my brother and his wife. I drove in silent meditation considering all the truth just spoken to me. I reflected on that truth in light of suffering. As I pulled into my driveway I settled the truth that even in the middle of nights of weeping and confusing circumstances, through Jesus we will be okay.