Today’s scripture: Romans 5:6-11 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Steve Adams):
Humankind was weak (v.6), languishing far below their potential — mired in disease, rivalries, hate — even murder and war. So God, like a loving Mother or Father, devised a plan. God would give Her children something that would enable them not only to get out of their quagmire, but soar into eternity. Even though Her kids often acted like they were downright enemies, She proceeded with Her plan. Her beloved Son would come to earth and show the way! God demonstrated Her love toward us by devising an intricate plan which brought Jesus to earth.
Jamie Turner, a mother of two young girls, learned about someone who desperately needed help — a 22 year-old girl in Atlanta who was on dialysis and desperately needed a kidney in order to survive. Moved with compassion, Jamie hatched a plan. She discovered they had the same blood type — an apparent match! But wait! She had her two young children of her own to take care of, and a spouse, all of whom the operation would impact in big ways. Many of those close to Jamie were against it, because of the potential danger for her. And Jamie herself had to deal with the possibilities. What if she had complications? What if she couldn’t take care of her daughters? What if she didn’t make it through the operation at all? Yes, WHAT IF? But Jamie decided to take the plunge of faith, the middle name she gave to one of her daughters.
The process began with Jamie providing 28 tubes of blood to determine if she’s healthy enough to be a kidney donor. But there was much, much more. She spent several entire days at the hospital for tests, because in order to be allowed to donate a kidney, the doctors must determine if you’re healthy — that you have as a good a chance as possible to survive the operation.
Then the plan hit a snag — a big snag. Tests revealed the girl was in fact not a match with Jamie. So, would Jamie still be motivated to go through with this for a complete stranger, someone who might not even “deserve” it? (vs. 7, 8). The answer was yes! So on June 14, 2013, Jamie went ahead and donated her kidney to someone who she didn’t even know! And, as a result of the amazing process of what’s called a kidney donation chain, two additional people were able to receive kidneys.
Jamie’s example prompts me to expand my awareness concerning how many different types of giving there are. Is there a way to give which
would really help someone that I’ve never seriously considered? It also makes me think, “The reward of God-inspired giving far outweighs the risks.” So, I pass her story — and it’s inspiration — on to you!
Thought for the day: Thank you, God, that we can more fully be like You, devising (sometimes intricate) plans to help those in urgent need.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.