Don't Waste Your Cancer
On the eve of his cancer surgery, pastor and writer John Piper wrote down 11 precepts and some notes that would become a booklet. This booklet is designed to help Christians come to grips with their cancer. I list only the precepts here. The booklet can be read in full at
These precepts are not trite, cheerful words spoken without thought. They fight and force themselves onto the page and into the spirit. They are not easy to read. They forced me to think about hard questions with even harder answers.
"Why do I have cancer?"
"Where is God as I fight my disease?"
"Am I going to die?"
"Have I done anything to deserve this?"
Piper wrote these precepts after months of struggling. i am still struggling. Since I do not know what God knows I choose to concentrate on what I know and more than ever I know peace and security.
- I know I am God's child.
- I know that God loves me.
- I know that God is with me; he even indwells me.
- I know that Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
- I know that I am in the arms of God.
- I know that is the right place to be.
- I know that I have cancer, but cancer will never have me.
Piper's concepts will affect you emotionally. You will not agree with them all. You may even say, "I cannot accept this!" I know this because this is the way I reacted. I now realize my reaction partially came from my relational insecurity with Papa. To a larger part, my reaction came from my stubbornness. I refused to accept that someone else is the master of my fate. I cannot judge what is best for me. I do not have enough information to make those kinds of judgments.
Please remember three things as you read these precepts.
A. Remember these words are for everyone, not just 'religious' persons.
B. Remember that only through Jesus can we accept God's acts and still remain safe, secure, and at peace.
C. Remember to follow the link above and read the booklet in full. Piper's comments on each precept will give you much to consider.
In my next post I will tell you the two precepts that have grated me the most. In the meantime, these precepts continue to shine on me and help me to live, love, and minister. This is what Street Lights are supposed to do.
John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Cancer"
- We waste our cancer if we don’t hear in our own groanings the hope-filled labor pains of a fallen world.
- We waste our cancer if we do not believe it is designed for us by God.
- We waste our cancer if we believe it is a curse and not a gift.
- We waste our cancer if we seek comfort from our odds rather than from God.
- We waste our cancer if we refuse to think about death.
- We waste our cancer if we think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.
- We waste our cancer if we spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.
- We waste our cancer if we let it drive us into solitude instead of deepen our relationships with manifest affection.
- We waste our cancer if we grieve as those who have no hope.
- We waste our cancer if we treat sin as casually as before.
- We waste our cancer if we fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.
Thank you for posting this! I love John Piper. His preaching and writings have a depth and weightiness that bring true joy. We re praying for your continued recovery.
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