Campfire 1Originally from Comfort in Christ Cancer Devotional: Encouraging a Closer Walk with Jesus       

by Cherrie Huseby

What to bring??? The Bible (of course) – check; my favorite drinking cup filled with plenty of ice cold water – check; a lunch bag with sandwich, crackers, fruit, and maybe soup if there’s access to a microwave – check. I also brought my laptop during the first 8 months of treatments when I was still “working from home” for my former employer. I sure got a lot done those days sitting there for 6 hours at the Arizona Cancer Center while the Carboplatin and Paclitaxel slowly entered by body.

Wow! How very different this kind of checklist is from the typical “what to bring to camp” checklist I got when I was a kid: Bedding, tent, sleeping bag, ground cloth, blankets, extra stakes, pillow, shade tarp, air mattress, axe, air pump, dust pan/brush, large bags for storage, water jug and/or water bucket, potholders, and not to mention bathing suit, sunscreen, and lots of bug spray.

Though “Camp Chemo” is set up to be meaningful, purposeful, and determined to rid the ‘campers’ of cancer, it can be more “light” hearted than anticipated in view of the golden opportunities there to catch fish for Jesus. The battle worn camper who knows Jesus can be an enormous light and encouragement to someone just learning how to remain strong in the fight of his life.

In the book of Exodus, Moses was just such a man. He learned to trust God and not his flesh when called to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land at over 80 years old. Israel was fighting the Amalekites and it wasn’t going in their favor. Moses went to the top of the hill with the priests Aaron and Hur. When Moses held up his hands Israel prevailed and when he let down his hands the battle swung Amalek’s way.

As Moses tired, Aaron and Hur then began to hold up his hands for him and Israel once again took control. You could certainly say a man’s hands lifted heavenward are always an encouraging sign to others entrenched in the battle. (Exodus 17:10-13).

Hands reaching up for help to the Lord signify humility, the realization that the battle can’t be won first without the Lord, but also without the encouragement of others. Moses had help from his friends, but ultimately he relied on the Lord, and we must do likewise during our earthly times of trial.

Ephesians 6:6-16 offers another kind of checklist for each of us to be prepared to meet each day. The full armor of God is needed now more than ever: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit.

My recent cancer “camping experiences” have taught me more than just being prepared with outward supplies. Most importantly they have revealed to me that “though the outward man in perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16). So until the time I go to be with my Lord and Savior, there is a whole world of people out there, camping in this world, that need to know Jesus. Lord, how do you want to use cancer to reach them and teach them just how great You really are?

Comfort in Christ Cancer Devotional: Encouraging a Closer Walk with Jesus, Devotional #10. Cherrie Huseby (Unity in Truth blogger- Flynn Huseby’s wife of almost 18 years)

Comfort in Christ Cancer Devotional is a 50 devotional e-book meant to encourage the body of Christ to draw closer to Jesus, understanding the trials of this world are often the means by which the Good Shepherd refines our souls. Cherrie’s e-book devotional is available @ Amazon. Click “HERE” to see more about it.