MOVING FORWARD THROUGH THE DARKNESS | from page 17 _________________ earth giving Him glory in every situation? I never processed the true power and depth the gospel has to help me on this earth until I faced my own mortality. Any chains of pride or entitlement I had were broken in that moment. There’s no time or need for self-pity. What are fifty years in a burned, broken body when I have an eternity of wholeness to look forward to? Once I realized how tiny the blip of my life actually is on an eternal radar, I determined to live life to the fullest and to give God glory through it all. I fought for my life and clung to my faith, and as I did, I saw God do amazing things. He turned my obstacles into opportunities. He took my misery and gave me a ministry that is touching thousands of lives. And He can do the same for you. Because of how God helped me, I have dedicated my life to helping others overcome their challenges, their “burns,” so to speak. That’s why I launched my speaking company, Beyond the Burn. We all have burns. They just come in different forms and arise from various circumstances. My burns are visible, displayed for the world to see. Other burns are hidden. Yet the answer to all our burns is the same: healing comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, in His strength, we take ownership of our situation, refusing to cast blame. That’s the next practical step. Take Ownership I heard a message recently about the man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years (John 5:1–15). Seeing the crippled man, Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?” Something tells me this was another loaded, “simple but not easy” question! This man didn’t respond with a quick yes or no answer. Instead, he told Jesus why he couldn’t get well. He listed excuses about why his condition wasn’t his fault. Truthfully, many of us would respond the same way. It’s so much easier to cast blame than to take ownership. But Jesus wasn’t asking the man how he got where he was; He was asking if the man wanted to get well. If he did, Jesus said, he had to take action. He would need to take up his mat and walk. He would have to cast aside the things he was holding on to (in this case, blame) and start taking steps to his healing. In the hospital, I answered Jesus’s question early on. “Yes! I want to get well!” I took ownership of my situation. I could have easily blamed so many people for my condition. But it wouldn’t have brought healing. To get out of that bed, I had to cooperate with God in the healing process, no matter how hard that would be. I knew there would be long, hard days where I would have to push myself through great physical pain. There would be daily setbacks and often very little evidence of progress. But I had no choice. If I wanted to get well, I’d have to face it all. I’d have to do my part. That’s another step. Do Your Part We all have a part to play in our recovery process. Refusing to allow bitterness and blame is a huge part of our healing. It doesn’t matter who is at fault or how we got to where we are. The only question that matters is this: “Do you want to get well?” You can remain bitter or get better. If you want to get well, you must face what is hard—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—all the while standing strong in your faith, serving others, and letting God be glorified through your life. I know…easy but hard. Probably sounds impossible, but it isn’t. Remember: you aren’t in this fight alone. God is with you every step of the Matt has many opportunities to share his story and help people move past their own trials through his speaking business, Beyond the Burn. way. He will help you do what you can’t do on your own. And in your weakest moments, you’ll find His strength is more than enough. My fight continues daily. It will for many years to come. It seems I’m in a constant cycle. I take one step forward only to get knocked two steps back. I see progress, only to be told I need another surgery. But between the trials, there are incredible moments. Like today, when I took my son on a bike ride. And the other night, I had dinner with friends. Tomorrow, my family and I are going to a conference where I will share my story with hundreds of people. In moments like these, I see the light. I see the good that is provided in my situation and the truth that God is involved in every detail of my life. I see how He works every situation out for good, and I’m reminded of His great love for me. I see God’s blessing of faithfulness. These are the truths that I cling to when darkness sets in. And that is practical step number three. Never Forget in the Darkness What You Have Learned in the Light Think back to when you were a child. The lights are on in your room, and everything is okay. But then it’s time for bed, and the lights are turned out. A few minutes into the darkness, you are sure you hear a monster in your closet. Your heart pounds as you fumble for the light switch. But as soon as the light comes on, you discover the truth—you’re okay. And there are no monsters. Friend, you’re okay. God has you in the palm of His hand, and He is faithful to protect you in the light and in the dark. He is the same today, yesterday, and forever. He never fails. You can hold fast to this truth, no matter how dark or painful life becomes. �� 34 kojministries.org Issue 2 2017 photography courtesy of John Maxwell team photographer Christian Del Rosario
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