People keep asking how my most recent “spicy” experience has affected me. My answer is often disappointing because I don’t really have any impressive revelations. To be frank, I have found myself in much more perilous situations than in the bed of a Liberian hospital. I don't know if this incident will make me more obedient or holy, but God has certainly reminded me of himself during this time.
Most importantly, my ill health deepened my sense of responsibility and reminded me once again that everything is his. I was in the hospital for two weeks after my appendectomy because of a serious infection. I suggest to all my readers if you are afflicted with a sharp pain on your right side, near your hipbone, endeavor to find a hospital, ASAP. The week prior to my operation the infection was left to fester which created a lengthy and expensive recovery process. Thanks to the wonderful world of insurance, my family was not left homeless from the hospital bills. But the cost and the extremity of the surgery were severe. I was flown half way across the world and rushed into emergency surgery upon my arrival into the US. Countless people were involved in the logistical process of getting me home and in the medical process of healing my body. My post-op recovery team was huge and my insurance company paid out thousands and thousands of dollars for all of my treatment. Appendicitis is fatal without surgery so without the care, the infection in my body would have killed me.
When I reflect back on this experience, I think about the time spent in the Liberian hospital. I was driven to one of the best hospitals in Liberia, one were few could afford to be treated. I was placed in an “upper room” where only the rich are allowed to stay. I had an A/C unit in my room and I received clean sheets and bathing water. The “lower floor” was for the masses and for the poor. Hundreds of women, men, and babies lined up on hard wooden benches waiting for someone to ease their pain and heal their bodies. I have no doubt that many of the patients arrived at the hospital too late and succumbed to their illnesses. Others could not afford treatment. Others were not properly diagnosed and died from the misdiagnosis. I'm sure the Liberian appendicitis cases of the week were not as fortunate as I.
We know, in our hearts, those people are just as valuable as I am. There is no reason why such extreme measures should be taken to preserve my life, but not the lives of the other patients in that hospital. There is no reason why I should be spared because of money and resources and others should die because of their poverty. I don’t mean to make a commentary based on weak idealism, but rather, note the severity and harshness of life outside of our world. Life is unjust because of sin. Thus, humanitarianism is in no way the equalizer against injustice but instead a paltry attempt at action. Our attempts at social justice are approached in unjust fashions. To accept this is to disengage the petty ignorance of our culture and embrace the truth about our sinful hearts.
What then are the hope and the take-away from two months at home? Simply, a reaffirmation of the existing truths of Scripture: First, our days and minutes are numbered. The bible tells us we cannot add a second to our lives that has not been preordained by our Creator. In the same way, “we are God’s workmanship, created us in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We will be here until we finish living out his purposes for us. Second, to whom much is given much is required. For some unknown reason, God has chosen to spare my life this year. He has given me an incredible family, and church body, and placed more blessings in my life than I can count. The innumerable blessings are not mine to keep, but instead mine to give away. Third, my life is not my own. We were bought and paid for with a price, crucified with Christ in salvation. Most recently I feel like my life was literally bought and paid for…but in reality, Christ has purchased all of his children with His blood.
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God…
May we be broken bread and poured out wine for the Master.
felice week end...ciao
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