The Gift of Life - September 16
Today’s Readings - Psalm 72; Job 42:1-17; Acts 16:16-24; John 12:20-26
I’ve recently been reading Everything is Tuberculosis written by John Green. In the words of the author, it’s “the history and persistence of our deadliest infection.” To say the least it has been eye-opening. Green tells the story of how misconceptions, false assumptions and half-truths have spread and proliferated one of humankind’s deadliest diseases. Like many diseases its initial appearance was met by bewilderment and confusion. No one knew what it was or how it was caused much less how to treat it or prevent it’s spread. Much of what was assumed initially only helped to spread the disease and prevented hosts of infected people from accessing care. Ultimately 1000s of people died before there was any sort of treatment that had any chance of healing those already infected. Initial drugs proved to be toxic, painful and difficult to access. Patients who had no idea what the outcome would be agreed to taking medications that had no proven record of success. Sometimes in life someone, something must die for there to be life.
As drugs were developed and trials began, scientists worked on combinations of medications and strengths and as they tried one thing after another, patients continued to get sick, to worsen and to die. Then there was the realization that there were a variety of bacteria that fell under the umbrella of Tuberculosis. So, with this realization treatment became even more complicated.
What I was struck by as the author tells this incredibly sad history is how difficult it must have been for the physicians to stand by helplessly watching patients who were struggling to access treatments, to survive long enough for the medication to have a chance to work. And then once proven treatments had been developed, they continued to watch as the poorest areas that desperately needed the drugs were unable to access the medications that could save 1000s of lives.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” This is probably one of the most unfortunate and difficult facts of life. A couple who once loved one another faces what has become a toxic relationship with the realization that their covenant of marriage must die before they will be able to have the life they once thought they could have together. A child must break the ties that parents and children share from birth, creating a new relationship in order to begin life as an independent adult, the life all parents desire for their children. God let go of his only son, begotten not made, to die on the cross in order that we might have eternal life.
Relationships change, they die and are reborn in ways that are more creative and lifegiving. Patients die as drugs are developed that ultimately save 1000s of people, a grain of wheat dies so that green shoots can emerge to bear multiple full heads of grain. The Son of God dies, giving his life in faithful obedience, knowing his life, death, and resurrection will grant eternal life to all of those who believe in him.
We are each the hands and feet of Christ. What can we give of ourselves so that someone else might have life and have it abundantly? So that someone else might know the face of Christ. The loss of a few minutes spent talking to a friend who’s depressed? A few dollars to a worthwhile charity? An afternoon reading to children in a classroom that lacks the resources all children need? Participating in a clinical trial for a medication that has the potential to save lives? What part of ourselves can we give back to God so that others might have life and have it abundantly?
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Reflection and Challenge - What can we give up, what part of ourselves can we sacrifice, in order that there might be more life for someone else?