Melissa, If One Life: Love, Joy, and Hope Through TrialsSample

“Lord, I’m willing for You to work in me however You desire. Whether to heal me now, later, or in heaven, it’s all good to me. I’m so glad I have Your love and peace to bring me through this. I do trust and love You, so whatever Your will is for my life I willingly accept, knowing it will bring glory and honor to Your Holy Name and knowing many will praise You because of the love You have for me. I know that there is a spiritual war going on for me, against the work You and I are going to do. But I will fight and get my strength from You. O, Mighty Lord whom I love, have Your way in me.” – Melissa Camp

Melissa knew that God was calling her to something big, something amazing. Her focus was on Jesus and preparing for the plan He had for her. “Lord, adjust me, shape me, mend me, restore me, and prepare me in every good work to do Your will, working what is well pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus be glory.” She was excited about God’s plan for her and waited with anticipation for Him to reveal His will. 

At the age of 19, Melissa had surgery for an ovarian cyst. She began listening to “If You Want Me To” by Ginny Owens. It resonated with Melissa’s heart and it became her prayer to the Lord. “I’ll go through the valley if you want me to.”

Six months later she was back in an operating room. Melissa had cancer. “Oh, Mom, that is so great. God is going to do amazing things!” God was revealing His will and she was excited! “If one life comes to know Jesus Christ as their Savior because of what I go through, it will all be worth it!”

Jesus repeatedly communicated that He came to do His Father’s will and not His own. Did He want to go through pain, suffering, and death? No and neither did Melissa.

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus was greatly troubled and prayed for God to take this cup from Him. Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done.” Scripture tells us that “for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross.” 

His joy was you and all who would join Him in heaven because of His sacrifice. Melissa also had supernatural joy in knowing God would use her suffering and even her death if necessary, to give others life in His name.

Reflection

Would you respond to devastating news the way Melissa did? 

In living a life as a Christ follower, how important is it to be surrendered to God’s will?

Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”