Post #4: In the Word
May 6, 2026
First Meeting with Oncologist
I was fortunate to get a quick appointment with the gyn/onc. In case you are wondering, that’s short for gynecologic oncologist. Yes, I’m learning a lot of new words and acronyms: cool capping, molecular testing, omentum, debulking, HIPEC, CA-125. It is a whole new vocabulary that I didn’t necessarily want to learn. At our first appointment which was simply a consultation, my doctor gave me a lot of words. I had to ask her to spell half of them. Then a couple days later, my Care Coordinator, the sweet lady I call with any question I can think of, gave me a lot more words. Overwhelming words. Words that took a minute to digest. Words that didn’t seem to have anything at all to do with me.
Recently, I completed reading the entire Bible. I do not write that as boastful because . . . 1. It took me 60 years to complete, and 2. Of course, I should have read the entire Bible if I claim to be a Christian. I’m not proud it took me this long, and I regret waiting so long to start.
I used, and highly recommend, a book by Tara-Leigh Cobble called The Bible Recap as a companion to reading the real thing. It walks you through the Bible chronologically, theoretically over a year. It took me a lot longer than a year, but it was the best thing I have ever done. Reading God’s word for the first time in its totality was a complete game-changer for me.
Until I read the Bible in full, I used His words when I needed them. I admit, I was a cherry-picker.
Need a verse about anxiety? Look up Philippians 4:6-7.
Need a word about holding your tongue? Find James 1:19.
Need to know what do with your anger? It’s right there in Psalm 37:8.
You can google all of these yourself. Google is great for cherry-pickers, like me.
And then one day, I realized that when Ruth said those romantic words we often hear associated with weddings “where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:17), Ruth was not pledging her life to a man she was crazy about; she was pledging it to her mother-in-law. The perils of cherry-picking.
We are bombarded with words all day long, at work, at home, online. Often these words become just noise and distraction. They often produce fear and anxiety. I have learned that when I spend intentional time in the only word that matters, God's Word, the noise of this world fades and the Truth that is everlasting becomes more brilliant.
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God^[ may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
"Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path." Psalm 119:105
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22
LESSONS LEARNED
· I have learned not just to read a single verse but to read a section, a chapter, an entire book. It has made all the difference.
· Context is so important. Taking a deeper dive into scripture, understanding the context in which it was written, considering the big picture are so much more powerful than cherry-picking.
· The Bible is not just a big collection of platitudes or encouraging statements to put on your bulletin board at work. It is the powerful story of the only TRUTH in this world. It is His story and our place in it.
· Being in the Word daily is key to maturing as a Christian. It is not optional.
PRAYER
Abba, you are our good, good Father who provides for us and guides us daily through Your Word. That Word is active and alive and softens our hearts. May we stand on Your Word in everything we do and say. Thank you for that lamp that lights our path. Give us the discipline to be deep in your Word daily. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.
