Sitting down in the small Waiting Room at the Doctor’s office, I reached for one of the daily newspaper sections scattered among the magazines and promotional materials on display. The headline article dealt with the pressing issue of the day, the recent deadly outbreak of the Ebola Virus in East Africa. As I read about the latest developments, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation of a couple of other clients. It also centered on this latest threat to health and welfare. Now the problem was no longer limited to a couple of faraway countries in Africa. The dreadful disease had been brought to the United States by people who were infected overseas and traveled here on planes. On top of that, a doctor and a nurse from the US, serving with an American Christian Humanitarian organization had also been infected and were transported here to receive the best treatment possible. Understandably so, a great amount of fear and apprehension surrounded the situation, particularly considering how easy it is to get infected by the deadly disease. Soon, I heard someone propose their best solution for the problem at hand—and it shocked me!
“We should just send our military over there and bomb the whole “@#%*” lot.”
Wow! I wondered whether I had heard correctly. Was the person really suggesting that we should kill not only the ones already sick but also their healthy families and neighbors, a whole country of people made in the image of God? How quick we are with radical solutions when our lives appear threatened!
Then I wondered how Jesus must feel about the people he created, who again and again shrugged off his love and goodwill by choosing “what they felt like doing, miring themselves in lives of sin.” “The truth is, we all did it, we are all in the same boat.” “It’s amazing that God didn’t lose his temper and do away with us all.” “Instead, he took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in his Son Jesus Christ, showering his grace and kindness upon us.” “Saving, (instead of eradicating us) was all his idea, and all his work.” “All we do is trust him enough to let him do it.” “It’s God’s gift from start to finish.” (Quotes from Ephesians 2, The Message)
In light of this great gift, shouldn’t we get our clue from God’s incredible compassion and patience with us? Rather than quickly advocating for the elimination of people, shouldn’t we be advocates, even volunteers in bringing healing, care and redemption to those in need?
Thankfully there were and are many who are willing to lay down their lives for others. Dr. Kent Brantly, a medical missionary with Samaritan’s Purse was one of them. He was treating victims of the disease at the Samaritan’s Purse case management center at ELWA Hospital near Monrovia, Liberia when he contracted Ebola himself. He was given a dose of an experimental serum while in critical condition in Liberia and then transported to Emory Hospital in Atlanta. After getting well he said: “I’m thankful to be here, thankful to be with my family, and thankful for the opportunity to speak out for people who are still suffering in West Africa.” Now declared virus free, Dr. Brantly donated his plasma to others who were sick. Nurse Nina Pham said: “He’s a selfless man.” “He’s our angel. He gave us a second chance at life.”
Last Thanksgiving, NBC’s Today Show brought six of seven American Ebola survivors together. During the interview, host Matt Lauer asked Dr. Brantly whether he believes that it was God’s plan for him to get Ebola and be cured so that he could help others. Dr. Brantly’s answer reflects what all followers of Jesus should not only say but live. Here is what he said:
I think God saved my life, and I have a responsibility to use my life in a way that’s glorifying to Him and a way that is helpful to other people.” “It was an honor and a privilege but also a natural thing to help others with what I’ve been given.
Watch the “Today Show” Video with six Ebola survivors giving thanks.
Is There Hope?
Leave a Reply