doctor's life support

28th September: Edge of Eternity

'This night your soul is required of you'. Luke 12:20

'The morning after my admission to the Coronary Care Unit, I lay there absolutely shattered', said 55-year-old Cedric, referring to the day after his admission to hospital for his first, and (one hopes) his last, coronary attack, which had occurred the night before. 'I just didn't think it could happen to me'.

Cedric had lived an active life, was always 'on the go', and yet none of his pursuits included any thought about God.

For many non-Christian men, especially self-made people who have had great drive in the pursuit of material goals or in their climb to power, a heart attack is a huge blow to the ego. It reminds them how vulnerable they are, for we are all only a few heart beats away from eternity. Some will refuse to face this consciously, but even the unconscious knowledge is a severe blow and frequently leads to depression.

Many people who have left God out of their ambitions and goals, are never likely to be as receptive again to the Christian gospel as in the period just after a coronary attack. Another 'soft' time is the puerperium, while a nursing mother is still in hospital with her baby. The people who are ministering to these patients, whether they are doctors, nurses or visiting friends, should remember this fact, and be prepared to spend time listening to them. There will often be a natural opportunity to present the Christian gospel.

There is every reason for coronary patients to feel vulnerable. Any Christian attending such patients should be aware that this may be the last period in which the claims of Christ may be presented to them for consideration.

Help me, Lord, always to be able and ready
to present the claims of Christ when you open the way --
and especially when the patient is on the edge of eternity.

Further reading: Lk 12:13-21.

DAB