Guest post - The Way of Suffering by Dr. Knox Chamblin

 Many of you know it has been difficult these past few weeks as we grieved with some dear friends over the loss of their daughter.  We have experienced another loss - actually a ton of people have experienced another loss as our dear friend, Dr. Knox Chamblin passed from earth to heaven last night.  I read this journal entry he made in his CaringBridge Journal online on the day, Jan. 30, just hours after having dined with our friends before they headed back to life after all of the funeral activities.  I had thought at the time I should share it with them, not knowing (and obviously Dr. Chamblin did not yet know) that these words would be so much more poignant in merely a weeks time.  I think it is insightful always to learn from those who have walked before us and truly there is no man that I have ever known who has walked so fully and full of love, gentleness and grace than this one.

Monday, January 30, 2012 8:51 PM, CST

The Way of Suffering

(from Knox)  A skeptic, having witnessed the breadth and depth of human suffering, declared:  "He is God and not good, or he is good and not God.  Either he can end suffering but will not, or else he wants to but cannot."  This falsehood is addressed in Psalm 62:11-12a, "Once God has spoken, twice have I heard this:  that power belongs to God and that to you, O Lord belongs steadfast love" (emphasis added).

My leukemia and now Ginger's sarcoma have placed the weightiest burden upon us.  We are beset with many fears and manifold anxiety; but the effect has been to draw us closer to God and to one another.  Never before have we been so grateful for Biblical truth (see Psalm 34:4 and Philippians 4:6-7).  We are praying that the promise of Psalm 30:2 will become true for us:  "My God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me."  While we pray for another ten years of life, we bow in reverence to the will of our sovereign God and heavenly Father.  God delivers some of his children from this, others he delivers through this.  In his commentary on Job, J.N.D.Anderson writes that suffering is God's most precious gift to his children.  God has entrusted cancer to Ginger and me.  We pray that the witness of our response will bring great honor to our heavenly Father and hope for the people of God.

There is great mystery in suffering, and many questions will remain unanswered until we enter into the heavenly glory.  In face of this mystery, C.S.Lewis, in The Problem of Pain, says that looking at life is like looking at a fabric under a large magnifying glass.  The fabric is clear at the center but blurry around the perimeter.  So, says Lewis, keep the cross of Christ at the center of your world view.  Here both the power and the steadfast love of God come to supreme expression.  Furthermore, we can confidently embrace the words of Romans 8:32, "He who spared not his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"

With deep love and high esteem for all of you,

Knox