“Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me.” (Ps. 23:4)
My Dear friend,
I am sure the above verse is very familiar to so many of us. I am sure some of us know Psalm 23 by heart. I remember when I was five years old my mother taught me to recite this chapter.
But how often have we pondered and meditated on the verses in order to understand what David, the experienced shepherd, was talking about?
Recently, at night, I had a burning sensation and pain in my stomach. Needless to say, I could not sleep the whole night, praying for daylight to come. But at four in the morning not able to bear the pain any longer I woke up Margaret and told her about my situation. She took me to a local hospital. They gave me some medication, which temporarily calmed me down, but later the pain got worst and became unbearable. Margaret rushed me back to hospital. On Sunday November 21st repeated tests showed change from before and we were told I needed emergency gall bladder surgery. The next morning. Laparoscopic surgery done but the gall bladder couldn’t be removed. It Was gangrenous a drain was out in place and further surgery to follow.
All I remember, I opened my eyes and found myself in hospital room, nurses were constantly coming in and out, checking my temperature, blood pressure and asking me questions. I had no clue what was going on. I was numb.
Later I found out that every four hours nurses were coming and injecting pain killer into my body. Gradually I came back to my senses. They told my what had happened, that my gallbladder had almost burst. If it did it would have naturally poisoned my entire body and could have put an end to my life.
I was hospitalized for one week. I did not know how close I was to saying farewell to this life until one day, during daytime, (I know I was alert,) I closed my eyes to communicate with my Lord Jesus Christ and to thank Him for His presence and the badly needed strength. All of a sudden, I saw three young men, dressed in black suits, far from me, gesturing their hand and asking me to join them, I refused. I told them I would rather stay with Jesus. They left. I opened my eyes and noticed two clergy colleagues, Fr. Mikael and Fr. Torkom standing at the door. Fr. Torkom had a pink prayer book in his hand. They asked me if it was ok to come in and say a word of prayer. I said, “sure.”
After they prayed and left I began pondering about the three young men and their invitation. I was not hallucinating, or dreaming, it was real! Then I remembered Psalm 23:4. “Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me.” I realized that I was going “Through the valley of death.” Yet my heart, mind and my whole being was in peace.
I had seen and heard so many people who were near death, trembling, and full of fear. Yet miraculously I had supernatural peace and tranquility. Another verse from the Bible popped up; Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
This I call GRACE from above, for which I am eternally grateful to my GOD!
Now that God extended my life like He did to king Hezekiah, (II King 20:6) I consider it a privilege. I have to make sure that I will live the rest of my life to please my Savior who was incarnated and took flesh just like me.
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:8)
Christmas is upon us, merchants are crying for business, abusing Christmas, calling “Special for Christmas” to promote their business. I see the meaning of Christmas lost in the business world. Buying and exchanging gifts, don’t misunderstand I am not against it, but when we focus our eyes only in material things, I am afraid we will lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas.
Every Sunday we confess the Creed saying. “He came down from heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered, died, and was buried.” I have always said, if you were the only person on this planet, Jesus would have come just for you. “For God so loved the world (you and me) that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
As you celebrate Christmas would you invite Jesus in your heart and personally accept this GIFT from God. When Mary and Joseph were looking a place for them to stay, the Scripture says, “There was no room” for them to stay. (Luke 2:7)) I hope you make a room in your heart and welcome the King of kings, Jesus Christ.
Wishing you and your loved ones
A very Happy, Healthy and a Blessed Christmas
Rev. Fr. Archpriest Aram Stepanian
P.S. Your contribution is Tax deductible.
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