I look at these pants and see the person I was a year ago. Blissfully ignorant comes to mind.
My tummy was getting larger and larger, and for a few months, I simply thought I was getting a big waistline. I was getting older and had gone from being on my feet all the time as a Store Manager to an office job. I thought these two things caused my waist to expand.
I remember getting so frustrated one day as I was getting ready for work, trying to fit into these jeans. I grabbed a pair of scissors and, well, made them fit. I was already wearing baggy tops that hid my large abdomen, so it was easy to hide my destroyed jeans.
I walked around the office like nothing was wrong. No one had a clue that I looked 3-4 months pregnant. I even hid it from my family.
I desperately wanted to believe I was fine, so I ignored other symptoms for a few months. I even started a regimen of intense walking and running, all in an effort to lose my large stomach.
I didn’t realize, but no amount of walking or running would have ever helped me lose my large stomach. I needed surgery.
I had a fast-growing tumor and was also diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I had Ovarian Cancer. Never even crossed my mind.
I was blissfully ignorant, at least for a time. I had no idea I had a deadly situation happening in my body that required attention, or I would be lost.
I think about this and look at the world we live in, and realize there are multitudes upon multitudes blissfully ignorant that their souls are in danger. Blissfully ignorant that there is a deadly situation happening with their very souls that requires attention, or they will be lost for an eternity.
Maybe they, like me, desperately want to be fine. So they tell themselves it’s all right to sin a little here or there. Maybe they think they can justify their actions or blame someone else. That they can always stop doing whatever they’re doing, but just not right now.
Let’s make this personal.
Just as my tummy was growing bigger and bigger, maybe the sin in your life has also been growing. Perhaps you also try to hide it. Maybe you think it’s something other than sin. Maybe you try to blame it on something else.
I thought it was easy to hide my growing belly. I know I tried really hard to hide it. I destroyed a pair of my favorite jeans in an attempt to hide it. I was ready and willing to do whatever it took to hide it. What about you? What have you destroyed to hide your sin? Think about that for a second. Relationships? Your reputation? Yourself?
I know I thought I was hiding it, but was I really? My husband asked me to see a doctor. I made excuses for months. He knew. I just convinced myself he didn’t. Sound familiar? Do you think you are really hiding your sins? If no one else knows, understand and be certain that God does. You’re not hiding anything from Him. That’s a given.
Do you tell yourself that you’re fine? That you’re a good person, and surely you will go to Heaven even if you don’t turn away from the sin that has overcome you? I know I had myself convinced that I was fine. I’m so very fortunate it didn’t cost me my life. If you’re reading this, you also have time. Time to repent, time to put that sin out of your life. You have this moment. You may not have another. (James 4:14)
God was with me, and I had an Oncologist and many other medical professionals to help me with my medical situation. Likewise, God is with us and has given us the words of His Son. The Bible clearly explains what we must do to be saved.
- Hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:17, John 8:32)
- Believe the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6, John 20:31)
- Repent of past sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30)
- Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32)
- Be Baptized (Galatians 3:27, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
- Be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10)
Don’t ignore the sin in your life. Sin won’t go away unless you want it to. Like me with my tumor, you must take action, or you will be lost.
In Christian Love,
Leah Brewer
- I first wrote this article on July 10, 2020, when I had just celebrated being cancer-free for a little over a year. Now, nearly seven years later, I am grateful to say I remain cancer-free. The Lord has truly shown me incredible mercy!