I know, I know, you think I've fallen off my rocker. But before you start making death threats, just hear me out. First, I'm not real sure just how much the Great Physician concerns Himself with a socialistic healthcare program, but I'm certain He gives it less attention than we do. That being said, I've been thinking along the lines of WWJD. What would Jesus do? What would He think about this whole debate.
Several years ago, I was watching television with my dad when this commercial came on television that was advertising a specialty tool. It was the kind of commercial that claims an item is worth $500 but if you act today you can get 2 for only $19.95. Not sure exactly what the cost was, but you get the picture. This particular tool came with a free cordless drill. Because I was not a cordless drill owner at the time, I told my dad that was a great offer. Not only would I get the one of a kind tool, but I would get a cordless drill as well. I remember his response well. "Son, its a piece of junk." We continued to dialogue about it with me claiming how great this deal was and him repeating how it was nothing but a piece of junk. I'm not sure if it was for my birthday or Christmas, but during one of those events I opened my present from him and there it was. This one of a kind tool and the free cordless drill. He was laughing and still claiming, "Its a piece of junk."
He was right. Both the tool and the drill are completely worthless. I actually still have both of them to remind me that sometimes the things we want aren't at all what we think they'll be when we get them. My dad was pretty good at communicating lessons like that. Like the time he let me shoot his .30-06 for the first time when I was a kid. After warning me of how much it was going to kick and trying to talk me out of it, he gave me what I asked for. Had he not caught me, I would have been flat on my back on the ground. I handed him back his rifle and asked for the .22. Lesson learned!
Thousands of years ago, Israel wanted a king. It was not in their best interest, but they insisted. So, God gave them a king. A lying, insecure, people pleasing, prideful, cowardice king. A king who refused to honor God. This was only the beginning of spiral downward for them. While they did have some good kings in the mix, this idea of a king that they insisted on was their way of rejecting God. Some of their kings sacrificed children to idols, ruled harshly, killed innocent people, and persecuted God's prophets. If you'll follow their history, this led them down a road of destruction and bondage.
Prior to giving them a king, God warned them of the dangers to come. He was extremely detailed in what the future held for them if they chose to go down this road. He even told them that there would come a day when they would cry out to God to save them from this king and He would not listen. In other words, He was letting them know that once they start down this road there is no turning back. They were so head strong on this, however, and insisted on having a king. So, they got what they wanted. I think its interesting that while the majority of the people wanted a king, there were some who opposed the idea. Unfortunately for them, the majority got what they wanted.
In 2012, the majority of our nation voted for an administration that introduced this socialistic program of "affordable healthcare." The negatives of this program have been carefully laid out for anyone wanting to understand them. Still, the majority of Americans voted for an administration that is headstrong regarding the implementation of this program. I'm just wondering if, like He was with Israel concerning their desire for a king, God is okay with giving the American people what they want.
I don't know, perhaps I'm completely in left field on this one. I know we have a healthcare system that's broken. When we had our first child we were cash payers. We prepaid the cost of having our baby at the hospital but my wife, Lori, had to stay an extra night in the hospital. Just before leaving the hospital we were hit with a bill of a little over $500 that had to be paid prior to leaving the hospital. When I went downstairs to take care of it I was told that since we were cash payers this had to be paid before we left or we would receive a bill in the mail in excess of $8,000. I looked at the lady in disbelief and asked if they took American Express. Yes, its a broken system when as a cash payer I pay $500.00 but if I had insurance, my insurance company would be billed $8,000. That being said, fixing our broken system with another broken system is ludicrous. That's like spraying Febreze in a pig pin. It doesn't fix the stink!
I used my cordless drill once because it doesn't work. With a fully charged battery it will not screw a single screw into a piece of wood. It was free, but it's a complete piece of junk. I've discovered through the years that a lot of times, things I want, when I get them, I wish I never had them. I'm wondering if the affordable healthcare program will be one of those things to the masses. I also wonder if this whole healthcare thing would be a complete non-issue if the church was healing the sick like we were told to do by the very One we claim to follow? Perhaps, Jesus would answer the healthcare debate by laying hands on the sick. Perhaps, that's how we should answer it. Of course its a lot easier to stand on a soap box than walk through a hospital ministering healing to those who need it.
Several years ago, I was watching television with my dad when this commercial came on television that was advertising a specialty tool. It was the kind of commercial that claims an item is worth $500 but if you act today you can get 2 for only $19.95. Not sure exactly what the cost was, but you get the picture. This particular tool came with a free cordless drill. Because I was not a cordless drill owner at the time, I told my dad that was a great offer. Not only would I get the one of a kind tool, but I would get a cordless drill as well. I remember his response well. "Son, its a piece of junk." We continued to dialogue about it with me claiming how great this deal was and him repeating how it was nothing but a piece of junk. I'm not sure if it was for my birthday or Christmas, but during one of those events I opened my present from him and there it was. This one of a kind tool and the free cordless drill. He was laughing and still claiming, "Its a piece of junk."
He was right. Both the tool and the drill are completely worthless. I actually still have both of them to remind me that sometimes the things we want aren't at all what we think they'll be when we get them. My dad was pretty good at communicating lessons like that. Like the time he let me shoot his .30-06 for the first time when I was a kid. After warning me of how much it was going to kick and trying to talk me out of it, he gave me what I asked for. Had he not caught me, I would have been flat on my back on the ground. I handed him back his rifle and asked for the .22. Lesson learned!
Thousands of years ago, Israel wanted a king. It was not in their best interest, but they insisted. So, God gave them a king. A lying, insecure, people pleasing, prideful, cowardice king. A king who refused to honor God. This was only the beginning of spiral downward for them. While they did have some good kings in the mix, this idea of a king that they insisted on was their way of rejecting God. Some of their kings sacrificed children to idols, ruled harshly, killed innocent people, and persecuted God's prophets. If you'll follow their history, this led them down a road of destruction and bondage.
Prior to giving them a king, God warned them of the dangers to come. He was extremely detailed in what the future held for them if they chose to go down this road. He even told them that there would come a day when they would cry out to God to save them from this king and He would not listen. In other words, He was letting them know that once they start down this road there is no turning back. They were so head strong on this, however, and insisted on having a king. So, they got what they wanted. I think its interesting that while the majority of the people wanted a king, there were some who opposed the idea. Unfortunately for them, the majority got what they wanted.
In 2012, the majority of our nation voted for an administration that introduced this socialistic program of "affordable healthcare." The negatives of this program have been carefully laid out for anyone wanting to understand them. Still, the majority of Americans voted for an administration that is headstrong regarding the implementation of this program. I'm just wondering if, like He was with Israel concerning their desire for a king, God is okay with giving the American people what they want.
I don't know, perhaps I'm completely in left field on this one. I know we have a healthcare system that's broken. When we had our first child we were cash payers. We prepaid the cost of having our baby at the hospital but my wife, Lori, had to stay an extra night in the hospital. Just before leaving the hospital we were hit with a bill of a little over $500 that had to be paid prior to leaving the hospital. When I went downstairs to take care of it I was told that since we were cash payers this had to be paid before we left or we would receive a bill in the mail in excess of $8,000. I looked at the lady in disbelief and asked if they took American Express. Yes, its a broken system when as a cash payer I pay $500.00 but if I had insurance, my insurance company would be billed $8,000. That being said, fixing our broken system with another broken system is ludicrous. That's like spraying Febreze in a pig pin. It doesn't fix the stink!
I used my cordless drill once because it doesn't work. With a fully charged battery it will not screw a single screw into a piece of wood. It was free, but it's a complete piece of junk. I've discovered through the years that a lot of times, things I want, when I get them, I wish I never had them. I'm wondering if the affordable healthcare program will be one of those things to the masses. I also wonder if this whole healthcare thing would be a complete non-issue if the church was healing the sick like we were told to do by the very One we claim to follow? Perhaps, Jesus would answer the healthcare debate by laying hands on the sick. Perhaps, that's how we should answer it. Of course its a lot easier to stand on a soap box than walk through a hospital ministering healing to those who need it.
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