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Healthcare

"Health care is not a moral right for us, it is a privilege," he argued from the phone. Hmm, I wonder, if that is a worldview according to the One who shaped and formed us or is that the selfish will of man? Yesterday, was a day that perhaps will finally signal change, that may in fact bring care to those who have been without, and yet I hear such anger from those who may have to help. We didn't arrive to these complicated problems overnight, and truth be told, we are facing these issues because of our glut and greed. We are the nation of over-consumption, we evidence it in our gigantic homes, our great big cars, our hefty paychecks, and pork-size bellies. All of that has made us indifferent to the needs around us, and made us thirst for so much more; for us, of course. The great American way seems to be just look out for yourself . . . greed has such an insatiable appetite. . .

But my world view is different. I read of God who lovingly created this world, cared for the earth, the plant life, the sea life, the birds of the air. He made man, his highest creature, in the very image of Himself, that is of the One who sacrificially loves and unselfishly cares. He put man in charge of this, our beautiful blue planet, to be its caretaker and keeper. Down through history, those who follow after God have been reminded not only to tend to this earth and all of its resources, but more importantly to love and care for those without, to provide for the widows, the alien, the fatherless, the poor, because those in need will always be around you. Where do we get off saying that health care is only for the righteous few?

I was reminded the other day of the privilege I have in attending to the health of individuals. For maybe 10-15 minutes, I am invited into the lives of human beings, God's most loved creation. I am invited to join their path of sorrow, sickness, worry, pain and stress. No matter their economic background, they all have beating hearts, they all need clean air to breathe, they need fresh water to drink, they all bleed, and at certain times, they all will need someone to care and guide them onto a healthy plan for life. How can you ration health care and say its for those who alone can pay, when perhaps there is an obligation and accountability for those of us who have so much?

This won't be an easy road for our country, the pundits have continued the debate, deep divisions will continue, I'm sure. But I am willing to say perhaps this is a start of trying to mend our wayward ways, of changing our quest for glut and own up to what has been required of us, from the One who ultimately holds our life and breath in His hand. . .

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."
(Micah 6:8)

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