27 ISRAEL MY GLORY One of my favorite sites in Israel is the Sea of Galilee. It’s a great experi- ence to take a boat ride across its calm and quiet waters. Although we know its reputation of violent, sudden storms, we still venture out. Being a follower of Christ does not immu- nize us against trouble. Our lives are still sus- ceptible to sudden “storms.” But we venture out anyway, trusting God who promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you” (Isa. 43: 2). Like the storms on the Sea of Galilee that come furiously without warning, three major storms, all within a year’s time, hit my wife and me unexpectedly several years ago. But we knew that Jesus, the God-Man, calmed the wind and waves with His word. He never abandoned His disciples in their time of trou- ble. Therefore, we knew He was with us, and we clung to the promise, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Dt. 31: 6). The first storm that rocked our boat was four years ago when I was diagnosed with a cancer called multiple myeloma. It couldn’t have come at a worse time. I was engrossed in producing the gospel movie Rossvally: From the Synagogue to the Saviour. I was completely absorbed in writing, rewriting, acting, and doing all that is involved in film- making. I went to the doctor for my normal checkup and learned I had cancer. Because I was so wrapped up in the project, I felt no symptoms. We were shocked. Why would God allow this to happen now? During the long, intense treatments and through the horrid “mind fog” caused by pow- erful, toxic medications, I struggled to read the book of Psalms. There were many passages that sustained me. Since I portrayed a military sur- geon in the film, I personalized Psalm 20: 7. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our by Peter Colón Peter and Janis Colón (Background, mikeuk/iStockphoto).
God Was
in Our Boat
God.” In my devotions I viewed the chariots
and horses as all my healthcare workers and
medical treatments. Although they were all
great and needful, I leaned on the Word that
spoke of the Lord as my ultimate help: “My
help comes from the LORD, who made heaven
and earth” (Ps. 121: 2).
About a month later, the second wave of
distress hit. My wife, Janis, suddenly felt
her right arm and leg go limp. It turned out
two bone spurs in her neck were pinching
her spinal cord. It was so serious the doctor
felt her spinal cord would snap. She cried
over the phone as she told me. Never had I
felt so helpless.
Five days later, she was on the operating
table. All went well, but for six months
Janis had to wear a special neck brace.
Despite all her discomfort, she continued
to care for me. It was the Word that gave
her strength and comfort: “Come to Me, all
you who labor and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
lowly in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For My yoke is easy and My
burden is light” (Mt. 11: 28–30).
Eight months later, while I spent 19 days in
the hospital for a particularly difficult treatment, our third stormy wave hit. Alzheimer’s
disease had overcome Janis’s dear mother.
Through the years, as she lived with us, we
gradually saw the disease coming on. It eventually became almost unbearable to watch this
sweet lady transform into someone who was
constantly negative. There were times when
Janis thought she could not handle it anymore.
Yet, through it all, she leaned on the comfort of the Lord’s voice through His Word.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes,
I will help you, I will uphold you with My
righteous right hand” (Isa. 41: 10).
Eventually, these distressing circumstances
began to subside. God’s Word was like the balm
of Gilead to us. Through it, He told us that He
was in our boat, so to speak. The storms would
not overcome us. The Lord helped us through.
The many prayers of God’s faithful people also
gave us the added strength to stay afloat. “He
calms the storm, so that its waves are still” (Ps.
107: 29). Praise His holy name.
