Faith & Insight: Support Relay for Life

“I’ll Fight!” is a famous speech General William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, made more than a hundred years ago.

“While Women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end!”

Today we have an opportunity to fight. Today we fight for those who are hanging on and fighting this disease called cancer. We fight for those who lost their battles and we fight for a cure. It’s Carson City’s annual Relay for Life event, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, at Mills Park from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sometimes people ask me the “why?” question. “Why do bad things happen to good people?” “Why is their cancer and disease?” “Why is there hunger?”

I don’t know for sure why bad things happen, but I do know you and I have been placed here on Earth to make a difference. God has given us unique opportunities to fight against evil. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. We can’t fix something without putting the work in.

Matthew West’s song, “Do Something,” is an example. In the song the singer sees all the bad things in this world and asks God, “Why don’t you do something?” God replies, “I did, I created you.”

He created you and me to do something. We can make a difference. There’s a world out there counting on the church to do something.

“... Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm,” (Ephesians 6:13).

We aren’t saved by our works. Doing something isn’t part of our salvation. We do what we can in reaction to the needs we see around us and in response to the love God has for us.

I recently lost a nephew and I lost my sister last March to cancer. I refuse to look up to heaven and blame God. I can’t do much, but I can do something. I’m fighting today for my sister, Michelle (Shelly) Bailey, Sept. 19, 1956-March 22, 2015 and my nephew, Brandon Cyr, Dec. 24, 1986-May 5, 2016. Having fought their fight, may they both rest in peace.

Relay for Life may not be the battle God has called you to, but you do have a battle to fight. Don’t miss the opportunity to stand firm.

Lt. Mark Cyr is pastor of The Salvation Army, 661 Colorado St. Carson City, NV 89701. For information go to carsoncitysalarmy.org.