Meandering - That Dragon, Cancer

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” Zechariah 8:23

As much as people’s fake detectors are on at highly sensitive levels today, if they do detect authentic faith, it attracts their interest. This verse from Zechariah grabbed my attention. It literally says that people, desperate to find meaning in life, will ‘take hold’ of one of God’s people because they’ve discerned that God is with them, asking that they too might join them.

I am not really familiar with the video gaming world. However, I was amazed and humbled by the courage of a young Christian family - the Greens, who, using their technical abilities, created a video game that shared the story of their young son, Joel’s, battle with cancer. It’s called, That Dragon, Cancer. It seemed so counter-intuitive that the video game world, where people go to fantasize and escape the harsh realities of this world, would be used to show just how fragile and broken life really is. I observed two young adult video game reviewers brought to tears as they, not knowing what they were getting into, played this approximately two hour long game. The Green’s true life story of sincere, humble dependence on God throughout the terrible ordeal of their precious son’s fight with cancer, has been powerfully reaching a demographic with the story of God’s grace, comfort, and love, that others mediums would not. It’s an authentic portrayal of true faith and hope in a dark, broken world that others will, by God’s grace, detect and also want to take hold of for themselves 

If, as a church and as individuals, we attract any attention to ourselves at all, it would be good if it is because others have noticed that the living God is with us. God resists the proud but is with the contrite and humble who tremble at his word (Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 57:15; 66:2). It’s not about our being perfect and having it all together. Rather, it’s when we are weak, acknowledging our dependence upon God, that others see his goodness and greatness on our behalf which they find compelling.

Jesus said that if he is lifted up, speaking of his death, he would draw people to himself (John 12:32-33). He made a way for us to be saved, and it is his desire that we lift up the way of salvation, the gospel message in all we do. May our Lord’s favour and fragrance be upon us in such a way that others are truly pointed to him.

Thanks for meandering along with me,
Pastor Daniel