One of the problems with our cultural Christianity is that we too often confuse giftedness and godliness. Someone may be gifted at speaking or writing or singing and we elevate that person in our spiritual estimation. God uses gifted people to be sure. But I am learning that God can use regular people reflecting Jesus through trials and suffering in miraculous ways.

These heroes of the faith generally don’t make headlines. What they make is much more important. They make a difference.

Our friends Debbie and Jim Dixon have made a difference in our lives. Two years ago our non-smoking friend Debbie was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. I don’t think the cancer realized what a tenacious foe it had attacked. Debbie has unleashed every single thing she has in her battle with this terrible disease. She has suffered a heartbreaking litany of side effects and setbacks in her long struggle. I think I might well have conceded after going through about half of what she has endured. But not my friend Debbie.

She has never wavered in her desire to live every moment that God would grant her to live. Debbie and her sweet husband Jim have faced this horrible season with resolute faith, love and grace. When Joni and I go to “cheer them up” we leave encouraged and inspired by our friends. Of course there are tears and sadness in such a tough journey. But their hope and peace is remarkable. It comes from their faith in a God who never leaves them even when others might suggest He has. Paul Tripp says it well. “In moments of suffering, biblical faith never requires you to deny reality. Biblical faith allows you to stare the harshest of realities in the face with honesty, hope, and courage.”

That is what Debbie and Jim have shown me. In the midst of the darkest valley they are a beacon that shows that my faith is not only real…it works at the most difficult times. How can you endure such a trial? Paul begged for a trial to be taken away and received this response.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

It cannot be explained how the Holy Spirit comforts and sustains you in those trials. Joni and I have experienced it through the death of our daughter and through our family cancer journeys. I have recently seen that strength in the lives of my friends. I am grateful that I have had the privilege of sharing my life with these special followers of Christ. I hope that I will pass the future tests and trials of life as well as they have modeled it for me.

Debbie would be the first to ask for a shout out for her beloved Jim. I know he had to have been discouraged but I have never heard Jim complain. He has never griped about the tough hand that he and Debbie have been dealt. Together they trusted God in every moment.

I had always wondered exactly what Paul meant in Ephesians when he wrote that husbands are to love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. I thought it was a lovely little metaphor and a nice goal to shoot for but I did not believe it to be possible. Jim messed up the curve for all of us. I have seen a working model of how a husband can love his wife like Christ loved the church.

Today I listened to a song by one of my go to guys when I need some musical comfort. Andrew Peterson has a song called Lay Me Down. In this song Peterson sings about how his final resting place could be anywhere because something else will happen when you lay him down to die. Here are the lyrics from this awesome song.

When you lay me down to die
So long, boys, so long, girls
Lay me down and let me say goodbye to this world
You can lay me anywhere
But just remember this
When you lay me down to die
You lay me down to live.

That is exactly what my friend Debbie believes. Debbie knows that when God ordains that moment she will not be laying down not to die…but to live. It will be hard to say goodbye to her devoted husband Jim, her family and her friends. I know that Debbie and Jim also believe the next part of Andrew Peterson’s lyric.

I’ll open up my eyes on the skies I’ve never known
In the place where I belong
And I’ll realize His love is just another word for Home.

All of us will be facing the journey home someday. None of us escapes this life unscathed by pain and suffering. I am grateful today for the hope of a joyful reunion with so many family and friends. And I especially grateful that I believe the words written by Paul in his letter to the Romans.

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

I cling to that hope today.