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“Let Us Rejoice and Be Glad”
by Marla Sapp
Life Center
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We are all faced with unpleasant circumstances that cause us to question our
faith. Whether it’s the death of a loved one or an economic crisis that changes
our living situations for the worse, we’ve all uttered those two words, “Why,
God?”
For Charles Thomas, his questions began after he was diagnosed with HIV at the
young age of 20. The Bible makes it clear in John 10:10 that the devil’s agenda
is to “kill, steal, and destroy.” The truth of this verse is evident in Charles’
life-threatening diagnosis, but the HIV was only the beginning. Bitterness and
depression soon took root in Charles’ life. He isolated himself, while keeping
up a happy-go-lucky façade to avoid the pity and gossip that would undoubtedly
surface. He admitted that at that point he felt, “The best way to get through
life was to pretend nothing was going on.”
Two years passed before he even shared the news with his family. He felt alone,
completely void of hope, and in essence, waited for death.
However, the second half of John 10:10 says, “I came that they may have life and
have it abundantly.” Even though the devil was hard at work trying to destroy
Charles’ life, the Bible declares that his efforts were in vain because God had
a plan for Charles.
Four years after being diagnosed with HIV, Charles met Bobby McCullough, the
spitting image of God’s love and a member of Life Center in Macon. Bobby was
training at Carrabbas, the restaurant where Charles was employed. He
continuously pursued a friendship with Charles who was hesitant and did
everything to keep a distance. But Bobby didn’t give up and continued to show
Charles the love of Christ and, along with his church family at Life Center; he
lifted prayers up for Charles’ sake. Slowly but surely Charles’heart softened;
and before he knew it, he was opening up to someone again.
That relationship bridged the gap between Charles and his Heavenly Father and
soon Charles was attending Life Center and growing more and more fond of the
spirit-inspired atmosphere and compassion-driven body of Christ.
Charles was encouraged to go to an Encounter Retreat, an opportunity to spend a
weekend in God’s presence; a weekend full of restoration, healing, and
understanding of who God created you to be. Charles reluctantly agreed to
participate in the Retreat, but when the weekend came to an end his attitude was
nothing short of enthusiastic. As if undergoing a complete spiritual renovation
wasn’t enough, he received prayer for his disease and was declared healed in
Jesus’ name. Charles remembered feeling so free after the Retreat that he
prayed, “God, even if you don’t heal my body, you’ve done so much for me
already.” Charles was a changed man: relationships restored, spiritually
revitalized, and reunited with his Savior.
Three days later, Charles had a doctor’s appointment where he received news that
the virus was nowhere to be found. The doctors were baffled, but Charles knew
who was behind the miracle, and he ran home laughing, crying, and giving thanks
to the only One who could change the unchangeable.
Psalms 118:24 was brought to life that day, and Charles clung tightly to the
truth it conveyed, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and
be glad in it.” Till this day, those words are engraved on the inner most core
of his heart; and whenever trials and tribulations accompany him, this verse
reminds him that every day is beyond doubt a gift from God.
Charles is a faithful member at Life Center and has taken a leadership role as
the head of creative arts and serves as a member of the praise and worship team.
Charles’ testimony is a story of a miraculous healing, but there’s so much more
God wants us take away from it. It’s about relationships and how God places
people in our lives to teach us, encourage us, and challenge us. It’s about the
grace and victory Christ established on the cross so that we can experience
Heaven on Earth. It’s about having unshakeable faith despite the disheartening
circumstances this world offers; knowing that God’s plan is unyielding and has
absolute reign over the facts of life, even if we can’t comprehend His ways.
Last but not least it’s about remembering what God has done in our lives, even
in the midst of chaos. If we cling to those truths and build our lives around
Him and His faithfulness, no one can rob us of His joy.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
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