My friend, Will, is donating one of his kidneys to an elementary school classmate. He’s not particularly close to the recipient, as they haven’t remained in touch over the past thirty years. When people learn of his gift they quickly ask, “You’re donating what?” It’s not normal to donate body parts while you’re still using them; most people think that organ donation is a post-mortem activity that happens only if you mistakenly check the wrong box on your driver’s license application. Almost ninety percent of Americans theoretically support organ donation, but less than half that number are actually registered organ donors. Thirteen people die every day (just in America) while waiting for a lifesaving kidney that never arrived. I’ll do the math for you — that’s 4745 people each year who have suffered through joint pains, weakened bones, fluctuating blood pressure, insomnia, appetite failure and other ailments on their slow path to death.
Once people learn that Will is offering up his kidney (just for the record, you have two kidneys) the follow-up question is “Why?” To me his answer is simple and logical. He’s in great physical shape and has enjoyed good health. He learned of someone he knew in need of a lifesaving kidney operation and decided to find out if he was a match. He is. Can he live without the kidney? Yes. Can his former classmate live without the kidney? No. So it begs the natural question: What would you be willing to donate to save a life?
So many of us have what I call “theoretical commitment” to issues. We’re willing to share posts on FaceBook, or click the “like” button in order to support an issue that aligns with our moral, political, or spiritual beliefs. And somehow we feel that we’ve furthered ‘our’ cause for agreeing with it. But let’s face reality — few of us demonstrate real commitment to the things we believe in. Let me provide you with an example. Abercorn Drive in Savannah, Georgia is lined with abortion protesters on one day each year. But of the many thousand who line the street, only a handful are truly willing to adopt an unwanted baby and raise the child in a loving home. Especially “crack babies” or children with disabilities. Their commitment does not transcend mere theoretical belief.
I admire my oldest son for choosing to adopt an autistic child and his older brother. Few are willing to commit to such great responsibility. People naturally agree that caring for disabled orphans is wonderful and noble, but few accept the challenge to actually do so. It’s okay as long as someone else does it. Caring for a child with severe autism is a sacrificial commitment, not a theoretical one, and I’m delighted that my son has taken action to care for Jacob and Joe.
Here’s where you might find this blog challenging, and if you are guilty of doing this you might also be a bit offended. When a neighbor is ill, stop making the stupid offer, “If ya’ll need anything, just ask, OK?” Just do it. Prepare a casserole, a roast, or a dessert and deliver it to them instead of making them ask for it. Arrive with your kids and some cleaning supplies to clean their home. They may protest, but they’ll be grateful for your kindness. Bring over your lawnmower and mow their grass. Wash their car. Buy them groceries. Do something meaningful for them without being asked.
I believe in the power of prayer, but I believe that many people simply say, “we’ll be praying for you” to avoid doing anything tangible. They may actually pray, but I suspect not. I no longer say, “We’ll be praying for you.” I just lay my hand on their shoulder and ask, “May I pray for you now?” The prayers often end in tears and hugs and create a sense of closeness. We are bonded through shared prayer, but not so much through promised prayer.
In the book of Matthew Jesus said to His disciples, (Mt 9:37–38): “The harvest is plentiful. But the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” I find this particular passage quite interesting. Couldn’t God just send out workers without being asked? Or, perhaps there is power in such a prayer. I believe that the power comes from repeating, “Lord, please send someone to do the work”, until we finally realize that we are that someone. We are convicted as we ask the Lord to send someone else. And so it is with other prayer. Lord, please let someone (else) adopt this child. Lord please provide someone (else) to help this poor family with their needs. Lord, please convict someone (else) to donate a kidney. Lord, please send one of your (other) servants to share your word. Here’s a newsflash for you — we are that someone.
James 4:17 — If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
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Barry Phillips is the author of a short-term mission trip “survival guide” named “I Planted the Seed (and Woody Squashed It)” and the novel “The 24th Province” available on Amazon.com. You can follow him on Twitter and Pinterest: @barrydphillips
