I had heard of pre-diabetes, but pre-cancer? It was a new one for me this morning when my hematologist told me that I have a pre-cancerous condition known as MGUS or Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance. Dr. Jeremy Perkins is one of the finest doctors I have had a chance to know. Nothing that he shared with me about my precancerous condition caused me to be alarmed. It’s not just his bedside manner, so to speak, but he always acknowledges God whenever I see him. And my trust and confidence are fully in the One who so “fearfully and wonderfully” made me. My desire is to always be faithful to God!
“Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord” (Romans 12:11, Voice).
Burn, Bubble, Boil!
A diagnosis of cancer can be devastating! Four of my five sisters and my two older brothers have all had that diagnosis. My oldest brother, Pastor Jesse Sumner, Jr. was elevated to glory in 2020. Thank God, my next older brother and three of my sisters are now cancer free. My younger sister is undergoing treatment, and we are confident that through prayer and the healing power of God, she will also be cancer-free.
Through all that we have endured, God has kept his angels encamped around us! He has been faithful to us! His Ruach, His Spirit, and breath are within us! Still, we have not come through all the hard times and likely never will. So, what are we going to do now? Paul provides clear directions in Romans 12:11-12. Our spirits will burn, bubble, and boil over as we serve the Lord amid hard times!
Burn! “Let your spirit be on fire.” Don’t do just enough to get by. Tough times can zap your energy, but “do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work.” Second,
Bubble! Bubble over with joy! Yes, tough news can be depressing, but rejoice, because “hope is always just around the corner” (Rom. 12:12). We will get through this! Third,
Boil! (like holy water) When water boils it kills harmful organisms such as bacteria and viruses that can cause disease. It also expands, spills over, and runs down the sides of the pot. Let your burning, bubbling, rejoicing spirit destroy all the evil that tries to take up residence in and around you! Let it spill over onto someone else, bringing cleansing and healing and causing their spirits to leap with joy!
You are also fearfully and wonderfully made! So, take a deep breath! God’s Spirit is in you! He made you in His image! In His creative imagination! Visualize and release the imagination He has placed in you and burn, bubble, and boil over! Hard times are inevitable, but they are not insurmountable for anyone who has the breath of God within, is faithful in service, and whose spirit is on fire!
Focus Quote: “Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming and devote yourselves to prayer.” –Romans 12:12, Voice
