Chris's Lymphoma Journey

A few months ago I spoke at a women’s retreat, and as I prepared, I found myself lingering in Joshua 3 and 4, the story of Israel crossing the Jordan River. There, in that familiar passage, God faithfully met me and began to gently reveal new layers of meaning in light of our family’s current season. 

For the Israelites, their present reality was daunting. It wasn’t the first miraculous crossing they’d needed. They had already walked through the Red Sea, and now they needed to cross the Jordan River. There were no steel bridges, no bamboo to walk across, no human solutions. The miracle was just as real the second time around. 

As I considered that second crossing, I found myself wondering if it may have required even greater faith and obedience. After all, at the Red Sea, the Israelites were fleeing from danger — from an enemy. They had to cross. There was no going back. But at the Jordan, they were moving toward danger and uncertainty — toward the unknowns of the Promised Land. I sensed God was revealing that obedience sometimes requires courage not because danger is chasing us, but because we are choosing to step into what feels uncertain and uncomfortable. 

That has certainly felt true for us in our own journey. Our family has walked with Chris through cancer twice. Twice we’ve needed God to part the waters and bring healing. And each time, He has faithfully met us — in different ways but clearly present. Clearly good. 

Additionally, staying in the U.S., rather than returning to the life we knew and loved — one with deep and rich relationships and community in Thailand — has been hard. Still, we are trusting God’s loving kindness in the unfamiliar, uncertain and uncomfortable.

In the text, I saw how clearly God holds both the present moment and the long view. He cared deeply about where the Israelites were that day — standing at the edge of a rushing river, unsure of what came next. But He also had the bigger picture in mind, shaping a future for them far beyond that moment. 

This realization comforts me when I’m facing the chaos of today. I tend to think forward about what’s coming next, when I need to be present in the here and now. Yet I’m learning that I can be present precisely because God is the one who truly holds the long view. Like the Israelites, I need to remember what God has already done, and that He’s the same good God who will accomplish all He purposes, both now and in the future.

After they crossed the Jordan, the people of Israel set up stones of remembrance not only so they would remember His faithfulness, but also so future generations — and even surrounding nations — would know who He is.

“He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the LORD’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the LORD your God forever.” – Joshua 4:24 NLT

God was thinking beyond that single crossing, beyond that generation. And because of that, thousands of years later, remembering His goodness through this story has become a lifeline for me, too, especially in seasons marked by uncertainty, transition and grief. What a beautiful reminder of how God’s Word speaks fresh truth into new circumstances.

There is a holy tension in learning to rest in the present while believing that God is using this moment to shape and ready us for the future — especially when we’re standing at a river. But anchoring ourselves in His Word — alongside other spiritual disciplines such as prayer, community and wise counsel — prepares us for what’s ahead. These disciplines form a foundation under our feet that readies us for and sustains us through future crossings. When we face them, let’s not try to cross alone. In community, with God and others, we find support — and get to testify, together, to His faithful, loving kindness.

Scripture Reading: Joshua 4:6-7, Deuteronomy 31:6, Lamentations 3:20-24

Group Questions for Discussion:

• How does believing that God holds the “long view” change the way you interpret present hardships or delays?
• The stones of remembrance were meant to remind future generations of God’s faithfulness. What “stones” has God placed in your life, and how can sharing those stories strengthen the faith of others?
• Have you ever sensed God asking you to move forward without giving you the full picture? How did you respond, and what did you learn about God — or yourself — in that season?

Personal Questions for Reflection:

• Where is God inviting you to be more present today while trusting Him with the future He is preparing?
• In this current season, what specific ways can you intentionally meditate on God’s past faithfulness when fear, grief or uncertainty arise?

This devotional, originally titled Anchored and Aligned: Present Obedience, Future Hope was written by Rebecca Hirt and published on February 6th, 2026 in the Wycliffe devotional series Deeply Rooted.  We hope it blesses you!

Pray with us:

-For Luis as he applies to our local technical center, which he would attend for two hours per day and learn a skill, in addition to completing other courses at his current school. Admittance is through a lottery system due to limited seating.

-For many decisions and details to be decided regarding our return to Thailand this summer.

-In thanksgiving to God for a good trip for Becca to Spain to meet with other international counselors in our organization.