Embracing Radical Acceptance: Finding Peace in Trials

 

Summary

In this Advent season, we are reminded of the profound concept of radical acceptance, a theme that resonates deeply with the coming of Jesus. We are born needing to accept life, health, and nurture from others, and most importantly, from God. This journey of acceptance often involves embracing the unexpected and unwelcome events in our lives. Today, I had the privilege of speaking with my dear friend Alec Hill, whose life story exemplifies this radical acceptance. Alec, a remarkable leader and former head of a global collegiate ministry, faced an unexpected and life-altering diagnosis of bone cancer in 2015. His journey through a bone marrow transplant and a year of isolation was a testament to the power of grace and acceptance.

Alec's story is one of resilience and faith. Despite the dire prognosis, he found himself an outlier, surviving against the odds. He attributes his survival to both human and divine intervention, recognizing the grace that allowed him to continue living. This experience has profoundly impacted his perspective on life, leading him to live each day with intentionality and gratitude. Alec's journey is a powerful reminder of the spiritual dimension of radical acceptance. He speaks of the peace he found in surrendering to God's will, even in the face of potential death. This surrender is akin to the biblical concept of being a "doulos," or slave, to God, a theme Alec has embraced in his spiritual life.

Throughout his ordeal, Alec experienced the presence of God in a profound way, especially during moments of intense pain. This presence brought him peace and a sense of being renewed inwardly, even as his body was outwardly wasting away. Alec's story challenges us to consider how we might experience God's presence in our own times of trial and to seek a deeper awareness of His presence in our daily lives. As we journey through Advent, may we, like Alec, find the courage to accept the unexpected with grace and faith, trusting in God's presence and purpose for our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Radical acceptance involves embracing both the expected and unexpected aspects of life, trusting in God's presence and purpose even in unwelcome circumstances. Alec's journey through cancer exemplifies this acceptance, reminding us of the grace that sustains us in times of trial. [00:42]

2. Alec's survival against the odds highlights the interplay of human and divine intervention. His story encourages us to live each day with intentionality and gratitude, recognizing the grace that allows us to continue our journey. [03:04]

3. The concept of being a "doulos," or slave, to God is central to Alec's spiritual life. This surrender to God's will, even in the face of potential death, brings peace and a deeper awareness of His presence. [06:31]

4. Experiencing God's presence in times of pain can lead to profound spiritual renewal. Alec's story challenges us to seek a deeper awareness of God's presence in our own lives, especially during trials. [08:11]

5. As we journey through Advent, we are reminded of the importance of radical acceptance and trust in God's purpose. Alec's story inspires us to embrace the unexpected with grace and faith, finding peace in God's presence. [10:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - Introduction to Radical Acceptance
- [00:42] - Alec Hill's Unexpected Journey
- [01:18] - Diagnosis and Prognosis
- [02:38] - Surviving Against the Odds
- [03:55] - Spiritual Dimension of Acceptance
- [05:08] - Surrendering to God's Will
- [06:18] - Embracing the Role of a "Doulos"
- [07:22] - Finding Peace in the Face of Death
- [08:11] - Experiencing God's Presence in Pain
- [09:13] - A New Awareness of God's Presence
- [10:25] - Blessing and Prayer for Radical Acceptance
- [11:13] - Community Engagement and Connection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Radical Acceptance in Advent

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:38 - "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.
2. Matthew 26:39 - Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

Observation Questions:
1. What does the term "radical acceptance" mean in the context of the Advent season and the coming of Jesus? [00:26]
2. How did Alec Hill's diagnosis and journey with cancer exemplify radical acceptance? [01:42]
3. What role did Alec's brother play in his journey, and how does Alec view this in terms of grace? [03:04]
4. How did Alec describe his experience of God's presence during his time of intense pain? [08:11]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Alec's story of survival against the odds illustrate the interplay between human and divine intervention? [03:04]
2. In what ways does Alec's understanding of being a "doulos" or slave to God reflect a deeper spiritual surrender? [06:31]
3. How might Alec's experience of peace in the face of potential death challenge our understanding of God's presence in times of trial? [07:22]
4. What does Alec's journey teach us about living each day with intentionality and gratitude? [03:17]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to accept an unexpected event in your life. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of Alec's story? [01:42]
2. Alec found peace in surrendering to God's will. Is there an area in your life where you struggle to surrender? What steps can you take to trust God's plan more fully? [06:31]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in your daily life, especially during challenging times? [08:11]
4. Alec speaks of living with intentionality and gratitude. What is one practical way you can incorporate this mindset into your daily routine? [03:17]
5. Consider the concept of being a "doulos" to God. How does this idea of complete submission resonate with you, and how can it influence your spiritual journey? [06:31]
6. During this Advent season, what is one unexpected situation you are facing, and how can you approach it with radical acceptance and faith? [10:49]
7. Alec's story highlights the importance of community and support. How can you be a source of encouragement and support to someone in your life who is facing a trial? [11:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Unexpected with Trust

Life often presents us with unexpected challenges that require us to embrace them with trust in God's presence and purpose. Radical acceptance involves acknowledging both the expected and unexpected aspects of life, and finding peace in the belief that God is with us through it all. Alec Hill's journey through cancer exemplifies this acceptance, as he faced a life-altering diagnosis with grace and faith. His story reminds us that even in unwelcome circumstances, we can find strength and sustenance through God's grace. [00:42]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent unexpected event in your life. How can you trust in God's presence and purpose as you navigate this situation today?


Day 2: Living with Intentionality and Gratitude

Alec Hill's survival against the odds highlights the interplay of human and divine intervention. His experience encourages us to live each day with intentionality and gratitude, recognizing the grace that allows us to continue our journey. By acknowledging the blessings in our lives, we can cultivate a heart of thankfulness and a mindset that seeks to make the most of each day. [03:04]

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you can practice intentional gratitude today. How can you express this gratitude in a tangible way?


Day 3: Surrendering to God's Will

The concept of being a "doulos," or slave, to God is central to Alec's spiritual life. This surrender to God's will, even in the face of potential death, brings peace and a deeper awareness of His presence. By embracing this surrender, we can find freedom in letting go of our own desires and trusting in God's perfect plan for our lives. [06:31]

"And he said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'" (Mark 14:36, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 4: Experiencing God's Presence in Pain

Experiencing God's presence in times of pain can lead to profound spiritual renewal. Alec's story challenges us to seek a deeper awareness of God's presence in our own lives, especially during trials. By inviting God into our moments of suffering, we can find peace and renewal, even when our circumstances remain difficult. [08:11]

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced pain or hardship. How can you invite God's presence into your current struggles and seek His comfort and renewal?


Day 5: Finding Peace in God's Purpose

As we journey through Advent, we are reminded of the importance of radical acceptance and trust in God's purpose. Alec's story inspires us to embrace the unexpected with grace and faith, finding peace in God's presence. By trusting in His purpose, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and hope, knowing that He is working all things for our good. [10:49]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you find peace in trusting God's purpose for your life, even when the outcome is uncertain?

Quotes

"we're born needing to accept life and health and nurture from people but especially from god and that's expressed especially in the advent season through the coming of jesus sometimes we have to radically accept things that are deeply unwelcome into our lives and that's why i want to talk to my friend alec today he's a remarkable human being you can tell from looking at him this is an extraordinary brilliant guy absolutely oozes out" [00:00:28]

"so 2015 i was coasting along and all sudden i started feeling kind of sickly and anemic and i fainted i told john earlier today i didn't tell my wife right away and my pastor got on me and i was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer and the the only option a kind of a moon shot was a bone marrow transplant which is not something you want to give to your cousin or your worst enemy and so uh uh my brother uh was my donor" [00:01:30]

"so the doctor told me that if you had 10 patients with my cancer five would live a year which wasn't exactly great news and that of those uh five two would sort of live quasi-normal life so so the the three of the five would survive but they wouldn't they would limp through life yeah and two would would sort it so uh i've been an outlier uh completely and there's no merit and i didn't do anything to earn it it it was a grace given to me" [00:02:41]

"i want to talk a bit about the um the spiritual dimension of this how did you pursue god what did you wrestle with in your soul but just real quickly um how are you doing now treatment um your life so so this is not a cancer that comes back um either you die or you or it's gone and as i said the uh the grafting of my brother cells went i had something called a host versus graft disease which for a few months" [00:03:55]

"we're thinking about this idea of radical acceptance uh you know that that uh dallas willard used to say that our wills are created to surrender to god and uh kind of the the template as we go through advent is mary at the very beginning saying i am the lord servant may it be to me according to your word and then of course jesus at the end not my will but your will be done" [00:05:04]

"i've been uh focusing on the parables and uh like 40 of the parables deal with slaves as as actors and so um i i didn't use the word servant every morning for 10 years the first thing i say i'm your slave which i had some friends from jordan tell me it sounds like like a muslim doing that but if you look at the scriptures um the dulos it really it's it's not african-american slavery in terms of our advantage but it is slavery in the first century" [00:06:12]

"i had been saying this to the lord because i'm such a self-willed strong controlled person um that i i was yielding so you know you could say maybe the lord was preparing me in some ways for it i still didn't make it easy i'm not gonna say it was but i i thought okay this is it um you know lord i've had a great run i've had a great life i i i just i mean what a charmed life i've lived" [00:06:49]

"when we got the diagnosis that i was moved into the high risk category um it was really goodbye i mean i really felt like this is it and then the lord's presence just came so strongly that i felt he was creating a bridge for me into the next world so i was pretty certain i was going to die and i was and i was at peace i was resigned to dine and then the surprise i lived and and then i go what do i do now" [00:07:16]

"i think it's augustine it talks about the presence of god and pain and you would think that the more pain you have the less presence you would feel i felt as as the pain rose the presence of god rose and um i'd say the month following the transplant we lost 20 pounds and was sick all the time and uh you go between diarrhea and constipation it's it's it's horrible" [00:08:04]

"i'd say the presence of god descended on that that love that chair i had at the hospital uh room um in a way that i had never experienced the glory of god before so i i felt um you know i was outwardly wasting away but inwardly i was being renewed and i felt this sense of peace of being uh with with my father it was my heavenly father and it was really sweet as a matter of fact that set a high bar in my spirituality" [00:08:27]

"there's two schools of thought one is that that's a temporary grace given to you in a time of crisis the other is this is the new expectation the new the news level that you should aim for and i've tried to hold on to that and i think the presence of that now maybe part of it maybe i'm working less so i have more time to go for walks and reflect and um but the presence of god is with me in a different way" [00:08:59]

"lord we thank you for advent and the season of hope but we also know that there are memories in the past and there are things bad things are going to happen in the future so this this combination of good news and bad news and i pray for my brothers and sisters who are watching this as they and their family members and their loved ones experience unexpected random events in their lives that they too would sense your presence and your pleasure in their lives and that you would give them hope and comfort in the midst of the pain" [00:10:38]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?