By Bishop Michael Goings
The sign at the Department of Motor Vehicles about being an organ donor caught Luke’s attention on a recent visit to transact some business. He had given prior considerations about whether or not he should actually be an organ donor if he died suddenly by natural causes or an accident. He now felt compelled in his heart to be one. After all, someone’s blood had helped to save his mother’s life after she almost died while giving birth to him. His parents (who were devout Christians) had constantly reminded him that God had some great purpose for him and this was one of the reasons why both he and his mother’s lives were spared through the blood of someone else. His father (being a pastor who loved to preach and teach by taking natural illustrations and comparing them with scriptural truths and principles) compared the blood that had been donated by an unknown person or persons that had saved both Luke and his mother’s lives to the blood of Jesus that had been shed to save sinners from their sin and living eternally in hell.
So, now that Luke was an adult and a Christian himself with a wife and two children, the words that his parents had repeatedly told him would constantly resound in his mind. Though he was a faithful member in his church and endeavored to be both a good husband to his wife and a good father to his children, as well as a good citizen in the community, he had not come to terms with what was the special purpose that God had spared him for at his birth. He had not felt the call to the ministry as his father had at an early age. Of course, due to the fact that he was his father’s son and a preacher’s kid (PK), some perhaps well-meaning people had always tried to convince him that he was called to be a preacher. This was especially the case for some who had knowledge of his circumstances at his birth. However, such prophecies, desires, or wishes from others seem to never agree with what he felt in his heart. Luke was never the kind who would claim a calling or gift that he had not been fully convinced that the Lord had given him. Not that he doubted the words his parents had instilled in him about being born and spared for some special purpose. He believed it, but until he was fully aware of what it was, he would continue to wait on the Lord to reveal it to him. Nevertheless, he had overcome the reluctance to be an organ donor and had taken the necessary steps that his wishes would be carried out. Furthermore, he had shared it with his wife and children and they agreed, with some reservations. There was a feeling or dread that they had gleaned from cultural superstitions that some people, who have become organ donors, died shortly after they had signed up to be one. In an almost humorous way, Luke had assured his family that his life was solely in the Hands of God. Anyway, he had reminded them, “God has a purpose for my life and I do not believe that I will die until I fulfill that purpose.” “Furthermore”, he asserted with confidence, “Before I signed up to be an organ donor, I prayed that when I do die that He will let anyone who receives any of my blood or organs be a sinner who needed saving. And if it was His Will, to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ”. These words had satisfied and calmed the apprehension in his family and assured them that everything was completely in the Sovereign Hands of God.
In the meantime, Luke continued to be a man of conviction and integrity in regard to his walk with the Lord. His faithfulness in the church and good reputation in the community were the primary reasons why his pastor had met with him in a private meeting. He wanted him to give some serious thought about becoming either a Deacon or Trustee of the church. Luke had not declined or accepted to be appointed and ordained to either position. He really was very serious about anything that pertained to the things of God and especially the position of leadership on any level. Unlike some, he was not motivated by personal ambition and eagerness to obtain a position in the church. So, he agreed to give it some deep and serious consideration. He assured his pastor that he would get back with him about the matter as soon as he was sure what the Lord’s Will was. The pastor had accepted his response to the proposition without any attempt to coerce or pressure him.
In the ensuing days after his meeting with his pastor, one of the things that stayed on his mind was the words from his parents that he had heard nearly his entire life: “Son, the Lord spared you because he has a special purpose for your life.” Now that he was 30 years of age, he still did not know exactly what that purpose was. He knew that like all believers he was called to worship God, to be a witness for Him through his character and behavior, as well as to be a good husband and father. All these things he had done religiously. He had even decided to be an organ donor after grappling with the idea for many years. Then something happened suddenly that would bring unexpected and great grief and sadness to his family, friends, relatives, and those who knew him well. On the way to work one morning, when it was still dark and extremely foggy, a pickup truck swerved into his lane and caused a head on collision. The man driving the truck survived with some minor injuries, but Luke was killed on contact. Immediately, when the EMS people arrived on the site of the accident, along with a few law enforcement officers, they discovered a bracelet on Luke’s right wrist that certified he was an organ donor. After notifying his family, arrangements were made to send his body to a hospital where his agreement to be an organ donor could be honored.
Join me next week for Chapter 2.
