There is a thief who masquerades among us.
It is a slow-moving thief, though not a gentleman, by any means.
You may deny his presence and start to question whether he was actually there in the first place. After all, nothing is missing. How could there possibly be a thief when everything is intact?
You carry on. If you are one of the “lucky” ones, the idea of a thief among you spurs you onward to live life with more fervor than ever before.
You may find yourself on a plane to do some shopping in London, or laying on a beach in Hawaii. You may end a long day in a far away place and dance the last song of the night. You float away your troubles in paradise, but somehow your mind wanders back to the thoughts of that same old thief.
You regroup. You reevaluate. And just like that, you are knocked down once again when the thief takes something precious. Something you considered vital. He makes such a nuisance of himself.
And for a short while, life continues as normal as the thief conceals himself to gnaw on the spoils of his victory.
The little things become monumental. Life is lived no longer on the basis of making every day count, but making every minute count.
The recurring encounters with the thief begin to change you, but you continue to make the declaration that you are struck down, but by no means destroyed.
And then one day, the thief unexpectedly reveals himself. You meet him face to face. You thought you knew his name, but he affirms it. Cancer.
He locks the doors to take you captive within your own home—within your own body. There is no more life on the beach. You tell yourself that the thief will never take your spirit, your mind, or your testimony of who and Whose you are.
Now, the principalities and the powers of darkness that have always chased down your soul have rested on your very flesh and blood. There is a small part of you deep inside that is still just the same old you.
In the midst of your bondage, the thief allows visitors to come and behold his captive as if to put his handiwork on display. Some bring their tears and pity, but the ones who bring hope are those who to speak to inner captive with words eternal. Reading their eyes and lips refreshes the memory of exactly Who is your very help in this time of trouble. They do not see the thief at all. The thief is furious!
Soon, the thief shows signs of growing weary. The contest is not that clear cut. Either one of you is poised to win the fight. Clinging to the words eternal, you linger with resolve. The thief will not win. The thief will NEVER win.
You rise up out of the ashes and behold the face of God. You are whole. The battle is won. There is perfect peace. Glory is in your hands. You are a new creation both inside and out. You know life will never be the same.
Though you will never forget, the name Cancer will never be uttered by your lips again.
Read Brandi’s column each month in The Cross Timbers Gazette.
