The Woman at the ... Hospital ?
Last evening I spent some time in the emergency room. (I was visiting with my father… everything turned out fine, and I thank God for it.) In the bed on the other side of the curtain was a woman who wasn’t following one of God’s most basic rules:
Matthew 7:12 (NLT)
The Golden Rule
12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
I understand she was in pain, but she was one of the meanest people I have heard. I couldn’t understand why she would yell at the nurses and doctors who were there to help her. She wanted constant and immediate attention and didn’t show any signs of being aware that there were other’s in need as well. From my vantage point, I could see the nurses station where the medical personnel decided who would be the next victim to have to go talk to her. It was sad. I have prayed for this woman since my departure from the hospital and have contemplated why she acted in this way.
This morning’s devotional had this to say…
“Ever since sin entered the world with the first parents, every child enters a sinful world with a sinful nature. Born as sinners, we soon discover that sinning is a way of life. We ignore God, disobey his commands, and work hard at living independent of him, our own way — a way that leads to guilt, condemnation, and death. That is the “law of sin.” Sin enslaves and destroys.”
Living independent, it is the American way. We think we can do it on our own, without having to listen to anyone else. But living independent doesn’t mean doing what you want, when you want. Independence does not equal selfishness. We are to do what is in the best interest of the community as we would want done for us. When I think of the woman in the hospital, I fear for her soul. I fear for many peoples’ souls. For the next passage of Matthew says,
Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)
13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
So how do you find this narrow gateway? We have instructions. It starts with basic obedience.
Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT)
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
Once you start to listen and obey Him, life doesn’t necessarily become easier (note the torrents, floodwaters and wind), but your house will ultimately stand and not collapse. But obedience isn’t enough to save you, it is just the beginning.
Romans 7:24-25 & 8:1-2 (NLT)
24 …Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord….
8 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
In 6 days we leave for Arizona. We go because we love Jesus and want to obey His commands for us. We go to share His love with others, not only the Native Americans we hope to meet and get to know better, but also the missionaries and with you, the person reading our blog. We go humbly to serve, to treat others as we wish to be treated, and to share God’s Word through our actions and words.
Please pray for the woman in the hospital.
Please pray for us. Please pray for others who need to find Jesus.
We will be praying for you.