But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death.

No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” John 11:14

Introduction

For the past several weeks I have wondered if I have been operating in purpose. I have questioned my call to ministry (licensed for 5 years and ordained for 2) and I have even questioned my existence. The enemy would have me believe that I have missed the mark. The enemy would have me believe that I missed God’s plan for my life, his reason for creating me, and the opportunity to live a victorious life. While all of this was running through my mind, I tried my very best to hear God’s voice and let His voice over power the enemy, but until Saturday, August 6, 2011; the enemy had been winning the battle of the mind game. Now do not get it twisted or confused, I had not given up on life or God, but instead was finding myself in a whirl wind and my life was spinning out of control.

Ah-Hah; Recognizing Purpose

When I woke up Saturday, August 06, 2011; this same pattern began to start replaying itself again. It was at this moment, I began to cry out to God and ask Him, why I am going through the same type of things, sickness and pain, financial struggles and frustration. It seemed that this vicious cycle was here to stay and that I would never find or operate in my divine purpose.  Before going any further, let me take you back about eight months ago when I embarked on my second personal book project.  The book (which is still in progress) is entitled Victorious Affirmations for Women. Because of the book I created and built my on website where I could blog about my victorious experiences. Honestly coming 8 months forward I feel as though my life has been anything but victorious. And again I found myself asking God, do I really know my purpose, am I operating in my purpose through the use of your gifts to me. Because we serve an awesome omnipotent God, He indeed answered. God’s answer came to me, Thursday, August 4, 2011 in bible study as Pastor Sonne began to teach from I Corinthians 12 and she asked everyone, what is your spiritual gift? As she came to me I quickly said teaching.  This indeed is one of my spiritual gifts and it along with preaching God’s word is the only two I faithfully use in God’s Kingdom. As she continued to teach she made a statement, that has resonated with me since Thursday and that statement was, Tiffany, all the sickness and numerous operations is to be used for God’s glory. Honestly, I heard and clearly understood her, but it was not until the morning of August 6, 2011, that the Ah-ha moment made sense.

Ah-Ha…Relating through Purpose

Although it was eight months ago that I started the process of publishing Victorious Affirmations For Women, and it has been over 30 years that I have battled sickness, pain, and numerous operations, it was not until  the morning of August 6, 2011, that I realized my purpose. It as simple as the lead scripture states; But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” Now my name is not Lazarus, but God bought me through all those moments of sickness, surgery and pain so that His glory could be revealed. It has been God’s intention that I tell a dying world…this sickness will not end in death. Being that we serve an awesome God He further confirmed my purpose on Thursday, August 4, 2011, when I went for a surgical consult and the surgeon was reading over my medical history. He said you had ovarian cancer at the age of 3 and I said yes. This was the pre Ah-ha moment to Saturday, August 06, 2011. I have noticed this same reaction from several established and highly ranked medical professionals, but this time I was able to understand…the purpose in it all.To make sure I have not lost you, let’s recap where we are:

Over 31 years ago I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and for 19 years I battled numerous operations and was faced with other sickness, but I still did not understand my purpose. Then over eight months ago I started to work on my personal book project entitled Victorious Affirmations for Women during a time when I felt every emotion except victory. Then this week I was in a surgical consultation when the doctor questioned my ovarian cancer diagnosis at the tender age of three and later that evening Pastor Sonne made the profound statement that all of the sickness and numerous surgeries are to be used for God’s glory!  So here we are… Ah-Ha…Purpose Revealed. It (again) is as simple as the lead scripture states; But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” Now my name is not Lazarus, but God bought me through all those moments of sickness, surgery and pain so that His glory could be revealed. It has been God’s intention that I tell a dying world…this sickness will not end in death. While I had been doing that in the simple way of restating my medical history, my purpose goes far beyond my doctor’s office, my work place, casual conversations, or through the pages of a book. It has to become my lifestyle.  As I start to live out this newly revealed purpose, I have chosen to encourage you that your sickness too, will not end in death. Let me teach hear for a moment.

Ah-Ha…A Teaching Moment in Purpose

The word sickness is defined as a disordered, weakened, or unsound condition (Webster, 2011).  You may have mental sickness, emotional sickness, physical sickness, or even spiritual sickness. No matter what type of sickness, you can rest assured that this sickness will not end in death. No matter what (sickness) you may be facing, God has a healing just for you.  You may be faced with sickness but remember you have a:

1-       Choice in sickness: God created you in His image and His likeness (Genesis 1:27). You have been made by the ultimate Creator, sickness cannot overpower you. You did not choose God, but God chose you (John 15:16). Since God chose you; sickness cannot take you.

2-       Calling in sickness: God has called you to do greater works than He did. (John 5:19-21). Your calling was by God, you were called to glorify God, through a lifestyle of worship, and your calling is to be used to save a dying World by teaching them about Jesus. Sickness may call, but God’s purpose in calling you is higher.

3-       Covering in sickness.  To cover means to enclose or enfold with or as with covering. It also means to protect or provide security. God is your covering in ALL things which includes sickness.  His word in Romans 8:37-39 tells us that we cannot escape his love. God’s love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres, I Corinthians 13:7. It protects (covers) you in sickness.

4-       Celebration in sickness: A celebration is honoring someone through various festivities. You should think of it as an honor that God can trust you with sickness. He can trust that you know His word and believe his promises when He says, that by His stripes you are healed Isaiah 53:5.  When he tells you that this sickness will not end in death, John 11:14.

It is the realization of these four things that will help you to understand that in sickness there is purpose. No matter the type of sickness you are faced with, you have victory over it.   Whatever the sickness is, God desires to use in and bring glory to the Son. Sickness is an enemy and God’s word tells us in Deuteronomy 20:4, For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. These are a few reasons that you can celebrate in sickness.

Ah-ha an Encouragement Moment in Purpose

 

As I now understand my purpose, I encourage those of you who may not know your purpose to search diligently for it. I encourage those who have found their purpose to begin functioning in and through their purpose. I encourage everyone to live in purpose and on purpose.

Prayer:

Father, I thank you for giving each of us life through your Son, Jesus Christ. I ask that you forgive us of our sins and that you create in us a clean heart and renew in us a right spirit. Help us to hear your word clearly and to put your word to work in our lives. Help us to put our purpose to work in the Kingdom so that you will be glorified. Help us to be about our Father’s business in all that we do and to live a lifestyle of Worship first before you and then before the World.

In Jesus Name! Amen.

© Tiffany R. Easley, Ah-ha…Purpose Revealed, August 6, 2011

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