I spent the day in a Boston Hospital yesterday. It is amazing to me what a day can reveal. Occupying the room with us, was another family who were there for very similar reasons as we were – the matriarch of their family needed medical attention. While there for the same reason, there were stark differences:
- they were from West Africa, we were Americans
- they were Black, we were White
- their language a form of Creole, ours was English
- they were Muslim, we were Christians
The interesting thing to me was that not one of our differences mattered a hill of beans in the situations we were facing. Both families wanted a good outcome for their family member. Both families wanted to be cordial & hospitable & helpful to the other family in the room. For those few hours that we were together in a room, we were “friends”, wanting the best for the other.
In continuing to think about this family today, I realized that there are situations in life that totally level the playing field, rendering everyone equal. I think medical issues is probably one of those times. I realized that when hurting, we all cry the same – salty tears. And we all have the ability to laugh together & encourage one another.
Paul put it this way:
“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male & female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28 NLT)
Everyone, everyone comes to Christ & receives God’s promises in exactly the same way. Christ leveled the playing field before the Cross. He died, once for all, for all.
Today I find myself praying for a West African woman and her family. May God be with her in the days ahead as she faces open heart surgery. More importantly, may He send people to minister to the greater need, her need for a Savior.
