Hi, I'm Joni and I have a precious story about my little friend, Tyler.
Tyler Law was only 9 years old when he had to go into the hospital for surgery on his arm that had been invaded by cancer. It didn’t look good. On the morning of the operation, Tyler asked the orderly who came to get him, “Can I walk?” “Sure, kid,” the orderly said, and with that, Tyler walked in front of the gurney that was to take him to surgery for his cancerous arm. In turn, the orderly fell in line behind the brave patient and walked down the hall along with the parents. The three of them watched as Tyler marched ten paces in front of them – there he was dressed in his hospital gown walking alongside his IV bottle. It was a pretty touching scene, and oddly enough, Tyler as he walked kept raising his bad arm in the air and pumping his biceps in and out – you know, just pumping his arm as he walked.
When they arrived at the prep room his dad asked, “So what was that arm pumping thing about?” “Oh,” Tyler answered. “I just wanted to get as much use out of my arm as I could in case they have to cut it off.” Oh, my goodness! Tyler knew he lived on the brink of losing his arm to cancer and so he took every opportunity to use it for that which it was intended – movement: muscles tightening, tendons flexing, joints moving, neurons firing, pumping his arm in and out as he walked. This little guy knew he might not have his arm for long and so, not a second of enjoying his limb was going to pass by, not if Tyler had the chance.
Tyler’s words also reveal more than his bravery. They strike a chord of truth about our lives, don’t’ they? And that lesson is simply this: use it. Use it now. However, I fear that, in our modern Christian world where we are quick to “avoid burnout,” we have not used our lives as they were intended – we haven’t used our gifts or abilities, we haven’t lived on full power forward. Galatians 6:10 puts it this way, it says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Paul admonishes us to take advantage of the opportunities afforded us to do good. Our lives have so much potential for doing good, but we take for granted our time, our talents, our energy, and we assume that it must be saved for some great purpose later on. God’s purpose for us is not later, friends, it is now! He’s not necessarily preparing us for some great work in the future… no, the future for you is right now. And how you respond to any given situation is an end in and of itself. God's purpose is for right this minute, not later because you might not get another chance.
As it turned out, Tyler eventually lost his battle to cancer. But that was one brave kid while he was on this planet. Plus, he taught all of those looking on not to waste what God had given them. Not to put it off until later. Use it now. Friend, the days are getting shorter and, as you well know, life is getting harder. The opportunities to use our lives for that which they are intended – that is loving God and loving others -- are right this minute, right now. Find those opportunities today. Pursue them to the end, bravely, knowing that it might be the last day afforded for such work.
You know… I’d like to hear from you today regarding Tyler’s story. Maybe you have a story to share about God's purposes for your life being “right now,” and not later. You can reach me today at joniandfriendsradio.org, just go to the “Contact Us” link, and open your heart – I’d love to hear your perspective on Galatians 6:10 where it says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those of the household of faith.” Until next time, don’t forget Tyler’s example… you’ve got to use it!
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
© Joni and Friends