Beautiful Battlefield Blessings!

Sometimes the rising tide of persecution doesn’t just lap at distant shores. It laps at shores close enough to get our own feet wet.

Like it did for me… seven years ago.

I was chief executive at the heathcare organization I had co-founded. Like a for-profit business, it provided patients with a vast array of primary and specialized medical care at the highest standards of quality and professionalism. But with a profound difference.

The Name and Presence of its real Founder — Jesus Christ.

A faith-based, not-for-profit organization serving uninsured, financially-struggling families. Treating the whole person — body, mind, emotions and spirit. Supported by the whole community — physicians and other healthcare professionals donating services (and many others donating funds) so all care — including labwork, diagnostics and medications — could be free to patients.

Miracles so commonplace, they were expected… but never taken for granted. I had the best job in the world… testifying to the powerful and the power-less: “Look what the Lord is doing!”  People did look… and they saw. And people of all faiths — and no faith — came to help!

The Lord had challenged us: “Get out of the boat and follow Me!”  He knew what He was about to do… to glorify Himself in awe-inspiring ways. He invited us to take a leap of faith and follow… so He could take us where it was impossible for us to go on our own.

A corporate version of Peter’s walk on water?! (Matthew 14:22-33.) At least, until one storm demanded our attention.

Two attorneys opposed some of our funding. We were “too overtly Christian.” One threatened decision-makers with personal and criminal liability if they approved our grant. They would cease their opposition if we removed any reference to Jesus from our mission, logo, materials and services.

Is that all???

The stakes were high. The money was significant; to lose it could really harm us. But the greater potential harm was spiritual. It all came down to a question all who love the Lord must someday ask:

“What would you be willing to risk to avoid denying Jesus?”

“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

The battle lasted for months. We stood firm… The Rock under our feet. Eventually, the decision-makers voted unanimously to approve our funding!

I have often wondered… What would have happened had we succumbed to the pressure? Would we have even noticed our faith had atrophied? My own faith was strengthened. For the more surprising (and more threatening) battle that surfaced just months later…

… when I was diagnosed with Cancer.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

I’m now six years CANCER FREE!  🙂

How have you been challenged to deny Jesus? With what Battlefield Blessings?

Please post your comments below.

Diana Furr, a.k.a. Abba’s Girl

This blog may have raised questions for you. If you’d like to connect, engage, or get further help from me, you can…  EMAIL me at [email protected]; CALL me at 863-446-1660; or request a complimentary initial CONSULT with me at  http://tinyurl.com/DianaFurr.

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