Soul Scientist

Psalm 23:5 CEB You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over!

This wilderness of cancer has brought brand new meaning to me with this verse. (And for many other verses, too – but that’s food for other posts I’ve yet to write, so please stay tuned!) Isn’t our Good God so gracious in how He takes familiar Scripture and makes it (and me in it) altogether new?

In the idea of being made new, one of my very favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 5:17 EASY When anyone belongs to Christ, they become a new person. Their old way of life has gone. Their new life has begun! My new life in Christ began 40 years ago. My new life for Christ begins again every day. A new life with Christ today isn’t limited to living in what I consider easy or enjoyable. Faith can grow anywhere my Good God makes a straight path for me to walk, be it the wide-open green pastures next to still waters or this unexpected wildernesses stretched out before me.

There’s no map for this wilderness. There is faith.

And faith can grow with each encounter against my enemies of doubt, pride, and selfishness.

There’s no time-length for this wilderness. There is endurance.

And endurance can grow with each encounter with my enemies of impatience, isolation, and giving in.

I chose the word “can” specifically for those sentences because I know it’s my choice for having faith and endurance (or not). The choice of relying on God for strength or being rolled over by stress and self-confidence isn’t a one-time event. It’s an every morning, noon, and night commitment.

A commitment that isn’t easy, much less logical, at times. A commitment that demands all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. A commitment that can make others ask “why” and “how.” And a conversation with questions like that can be an unforgettable opportunity for the glory of my God or the gain of myself.

Trust me, the choice of my own glory will grow nothing more than dismay, decay, and defeat. And all of those are a sharp contrast to the always good for growing faith anser of “only Jesus saves”. Because that answer can open doors to a new life for those face-down in the dust of today with heavy loads of shame, loss, regret, despair, or pain.

That answer of “only Jesus saves” can be the final nail in fear’s coffin in my life and the lives of others. That’s because I’m learning this truth – while I trust my Good God in the details and direction in this wilderness, He buries my fears with His incomparable power and might. And He does this while graciously reminding me of the truth of “fear not” over 365 times in Scripture.

“Fear not” is my God’s loving invitation to come and feast at the table He has prepared for me in this wilderness full of my enemies. Only God can turn fears into feasting and wildernesses into “welcome to My table prepared for you.” Only God can turn the unknown into the unimaginable and pain into promises fulfilled.

And while here at my Good God’s table, I am strengthened to be sent to others who need hope. I am filled up with joy for others who journey their wildernesses without Jesus. I am given courage to keep standing firm for and in Christ. For these true soul-foods of hope, joy, and courage can satisfy even the deepest hunger known in the darkest wilderness.

Here at His table, I taste and see that He is indeed good just as He promised years ago.

Here at His table, He removes the old and replaces with new.

Better still, there’s room right next to me at the table for you to pull up a chair and join this feast with heaping helpings of hope, joy, and courage. For this kind of feast happens only in the Presence of our Jesus where fears are left behind and faith is served on big plates.

Here’s your personal invitation to come and stay and be renewed and restored for walking today’s wilderness while looking ahead to the wondrous not-yet-come of heaven – Psalm 34:8 NKJV Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2024.

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