The Keep the Faith Foundation for Kids (KTF) exists to share the love and compassion of Jesus Christ with families who have children suffering with cancer and to provide assistance for the financial burdens resulting from the family's care of their child. I had the privilege of spending a few minutes with the KTF Board of Directors as they began a new year of ministry and welcomed two new board members.
I spoke to the Board concerning a theological foundation for this ministry that deals with the struggles of kids with cancer and too often the grief of their deaths. I share these comments with you for two reasons: (1) that they may be of some help to you in your particular life struggle and (2) to ask you to pray for the children, their families and those who minister to them.
Romans 8:18-30 teaches us:
The creation was subject to futility and is in bondage to corruption because of sin in the fall of Adam so that everything, including our bodies, is suffering sickness and death as we await the redemption of our bodies.
Our COMPASSION for KTF families is born of the commonality of our corruption. There is no reason that it should not be or will not be us, our children, our grandchildren, our nieces, our nephews. We weep with them because we are them.
Glory will overcome suffering and creation will be set free from its bondage to corruption through Christ Jesus.
This is our HOPE and the HOPE we share. The dismay of disease must eventually give way to glory for Christ's tomb is empty. We minister Christ to the suffering so that their despair may be turned into heavenly delight.
As you minister to these families, God will help you pray when you cannot find the words.
What do we ask God for on their behalf? Grace, faith, healing, provision? Yes. And yet at times we are so heartbroken and so angry with cancer and sin and decay and death that we cannot find words to ask for anything. Do not despair. He knows. And His Spirit intercedes beyond our words. And in Him is our COMFORT.
God oversees our suffering and uses it for good.
Though we struggle to see beyond the storm, our CONFIDENCE is that He is there and that He is working His glory to our good. William Cowper out of his dark days of depression penned these words:
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs
And works his sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purpose will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
the bud may have bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain:
God is his own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
God's purpose for us will not be thwarted from sinners to saints to glory.
In Him is our FAITH. Ever trusting that He is sovereign over all and that nothing, no sickness, no evil, no scheme of man or Satan, will thwart His glorious and eternal plan for us. This is the FAITH we keep. This is the FAITH we share.
