Cancer is a responsibility

​I once visited with a wonderful man who had just learned he had stage four lung cancer.  As we talked about his condition, he said, “Pastor, we’re all terminal!”  How true.  James 4:14 tells us that our life is like a vapor – here one minute and gone the next.  The truth is that we are all dying physically.  There is no way to get around that.  Start your day with that thought and it will change your priorities, your perspective and your focus.  He then made another statement, one that I found staggering.  He said, “Cancer isn’t a gift but it is a responsibility!”  What a spiritually mature perspective from someone who was looking at the final months of his life due to cancer.  This man realized that he had a responsibility to use his cancer to the ultimate and highest glory of God.  And that he did, all the way up to the moment he went home to be with Jesus.  Folks, Listen, bad things come into our lives.  Many times we can’t prevent that.  But not only are we to be good stewards of the time, talent, and good treasure that God has entrusted us with, we must also be good stewards of the tough circumstances that the Lord allows to come into each of our lives for His glory.