In Sickness and in Health
I was having a conversation with Ross earlier today. Firstly, we were heated in debate regarding whether contents in a book, or any book should be taken at face value. Personally, I feel that whatever is written is based on the perception(s) of the author; which is undeniably an individual opinion.
There’s no wrong in that, but when we don’t bother to validate the statements within then we’re open to what could, jolly well be flawed logic. That’s why I always urge him to verify statements in books with reliable texts. Though I’m glad that he often searches for answers to his questions from credible sources, his views on certain subjects can often veer along the borders of extremism.
Then we hurled into the topic of on the topic of illness and he verbalized it brings about an opportunity to acknowledge the privilege it brings. Impossible? Not when you're Ross, man.
To Ross, there are always possibilities.
Ross asks when we is the time we remember our maker. My stark reply was, ‘when we’re near death’. He then goes on to explain that whilst some people require gentle nudges to reminded of greater power, others may need jolts to revive faith.
And it made me remember what Mani told a certain patient of mine whom asked why he was unable to die. Mani went on to expalin that God was giving him the opportunity to right the wrongs in the remainder of his life.
Similarly, I too, am regrettably ashamed to admit that I fall into this same category of selective amnesia Ross states. Most of the time, I pray only when I have an urgent need or when exams are looming into view. Incidentally, I pray before every major exam to calm myself and conveniently cast faith aside thereafter. Previously, I had also assumed that people riddled with disease were paying for their past mistakes.
They must have done nasty things. This is their karma.
When in fact, I have no right to condemn or belittle. We all live our lives the best way we can, adapting to situations being thrown at us and trying to make best choice possible. Sometimes, despite moral obligations or positive life choices, we choose to do otherwise and life doesn’t turn out the way we plan.
That’s because all choice carry consequence.
But sometimes, when we drift too far away from our faith, disease presents with an opportunity for us to remember our Maker and mend our stray ways to get back on track. At the same time, the latent benefits also spill over into the people who care enough to bother and may also draw them closer to their own faith (whatever it may be). Whether we survive the episode of illness shouldn’t matter. We have to acknowledge the ramifications of our choices and focus wholeheartedly on going back to Him.
If this world is just a passing station, then I pray I get a chance to return to Your embrace.
I firmly believe that if you believe in a singular God and sincere in treating people with respect, then open your heart to see that God talks to people in different ways.
Live and let live.
