Paradox
Health Care Reform has received a great deal of news coverage recently. There has been much discussion and debate concerning providing quality, affordable health care for all of our citizens. Some have expressed concern that individuals who are elderly and people with disabilities may be at risk because they may be presumed not to have sufficient quality of life, or may be judged unworthy to utilize scarce resources. Many options are being proposed, and multitudes of opinions are being expressed. It’s difficult to grasp all of the information. One thing I am certain of is that all life is precious in God’s sight. I am grateful that He is willing and able to take care of us.
Perhaps because of hearing a lot about medical care and doctors lately, I’ve thought of a riddle I made up years ago. Here it is: What do you call C. Everett Koop (the noble, dignified pro-life former U.S. Surgeon General) and Jack Kevorkian (the misguided gruesome pathologist who assisted many to commit suicide)? Answer: A pair o’Docs (paradox). This pair of doctors definitely represents a paradox.
In life we may often encounter a paradox. Christians serve a King who has values and principles in contradiction to the philosophies of the world in which we live. I will mention a few examples:
• When we are treated unfairly, our natural inclination is to seek revenge. Jesus instructs us to “turn the other cheek”, and to love our enemies (Luke 6:28-30, Matthew 5:44)
• When we fear we may lack provision, we tend to hoard all we can for ourselves, and feel justified in wallowing in worry. Jesus commands us not to have anxiety and teaches that we should give and abundance will be given to us. (Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 6:38)
• When we are persecuted or mistreated, we believe self-pity is an understandable response. Jesus, on the other habd, declares that we are to have great joy. (Matthew 5:10-12)
We can have awareness that the Kingdom of God is a paradox to the realm and philosophy of our society. May we also have confidence in the integrity and goodness of our Holy King.
Perhaps because of hearing a lot about medical care and doctors lately, I’ve thought of a riddle I made up years ago. Here it is: What do you call C. Everett Koop (the noble, dignified pro-life former U.S. Surgeon General) and Jack Kevorkian (the misguided gruesome pathologist who assisted many to commit suicide)? Answer: A pair o’Docs (paradox). This pair of doctors definitely represents a paradox.
In life we may often encounter a paradox. Christians serve a King who has values and principles in contradiction to the philosophies of the world in which we live. I will mention a few examples:
• When we are treated unfairly, our natural inclination is to seek revenge. Jesus instructs us to “turn the other cheek”, and to love our enemies (Luke 6:28-30, Matthew 5:44)
• When we fear we may lack provision, we tend to hoard all we can for ourselves, and feel justified in wallowing in worry. Jesus commands us not to have anxiety and teaches that we should give and abundance will be given to us. (Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 6:38)
• When we are persecuted or mistreated, we believe self-pity is an understandable response. Jesus, on the other habd, declares that we are to have great joy. (Matthew 5:10-12)
We can have awareness that the Kingdom of God is a paradox to the realm and philosophy of our society. May we also have confidence in the integrity and goodness of our Holy King.
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