How Sick Are You?

Because of some unusual scheduling conflicts I had to take one of my kids to the doctor. It was a relatively new experience for me. (Usually Lori takes her children in when they are sick.) As a rookie I wanted to prove myself able for the task at hand. I boldly walked in the front door and was immediately caught by surprise by the number of people waiting. Having the gift of discernment I knew this would take all day. Then I saw the signs. There was one waiting area for sick kids and one area for well kids. Nothing had prepared me for that decision.

We found two seats in the well area. I know what you are thinking, but I didn't want my child to sit next to those sick kids! Who knows what germs they may carry? As time passed I found myself getting pretty annoyed with all those sick kids sitting in the well area. I could see their little noses run, I could hear them cough, and I could sense they had fever. "Somebody ought to do something about them," I thought.

It is funny but this was the exact attitude the Christians at Rome had. Somehow they had convinced themselves that they were not sick, or at least not as sick as, "those others." They became annoyed with those who were contagious. What they thought they needed were smaller, "well waiting rooms" where they could be more comfortable. They forgot that they too were sick and in need of the Great Physician.

October 24, 2007