As I age, I find myself around more and more people who are dealing with health issues. And yes, I know this is “normal.” Something struck me recently, though, as I listened to various people I know talk about their health as well as about the health of those around them. The phrase “at least it’s not cancer” has been said each and every time someone’s health has been mentioned. Thus, it would seem that many of us, perhaps even most, believe that cancer might be the very worst thing any health issue could be. For obvious reasons, hearing people say this has begun to bother me. I immediately personalize “at least it’s not cancer” (in other words, at least it’s not Angela’s story). And I then find myself feeling injured, only I don’t say anything out loud and no one else present does either.
If I’m really honest about it though, I was also a “at least it’s not cancer” person before I was actually diagnosed with cancer. I too thought that it was the worst possible thing that could happen to you. Now, I thank God (literally) that I realize it’s not. There are things, many things, that are so much worse. And as I allowed my mind to run through the list of such things, one in particular stood out–never, ever knowing unconditional love. Throughout my forty-three years, I’ve heard lots of people say, “I love you.” But, there are real limits to such love. No one down here in this fallen realm, not even the nicest, kindest, most loving individual on this planet, can offer us love that is completely “string-free.” There are always limits, conditions, “strings,” even in the healthiest of relationships. I believe one exception does exist though.
God, through the person of Jesus, loves us limitlessly. I believe he is the only source of unconditional love that exists, that has ever existed, and that will ever exist. So, for me, being without such love would be the very worst thing; because apart from his love, I would have nothing good or worthwhile to offer. God tells us that the only reason we’re even capable of loving at all is because he first loved us. The very word “love” exists because God exists. Thus, love’s a concept, a reality, that originated with him and him alone. So the next time I hear “at least it’s not cancer,” maybe I’ll have the courage to say, “Cancer’s not the worst thing that can happen to you.” And just maybe I’ll even be bold enough to say too that I think living your whole life down here (not to mention your eternity) without “real” love would be a far, far worse thing.
Beautiful and so true!