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An eternal perspective on sickness

It was with interest that I read the article on stem cell research in April’s edition of The Queensland Baptist newspaper and I thought perhaps I could forward some thoughts from a different outlook.

Christians would agree that to destroy an embryo regardless of the perceived benefit is wrong, and against what Scripture teaches about the sacredness of human life. When one also considers the potentially great advances that adult stem cells can offer those with spinal cord injuries, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, etc, it is not difficult to understand why the frenzy of research around this new area of medicine has exploded at a rate few of us have ever witnessed.

However, is there a bigger picture that is being ignored, or a new attitude of discontent, even among Christians, who fail to accept their present circumstances as an opportunity “…that the works of God might be displayed in him”? (John 9:3).

The suffering of a believer with an unhealthy and broken frame will not be remembered when it is exchanged for a glorified body that sickness or disease will never weaken. When viewed with an eternal backdrop, our attitude towards these things can change dramatically.

To those who are suffering physical ailments, these words may seem callous and unsympathetic. That is why I feel the need to convey the events that have led me to write this article.

In July last year my wife and I heard the word that no parent would ever want to hear about their child. That word was TUMOR. The white blotch on the CT scan was obvious to all, a 7cm brain tumor that caused our 15 month old son Joel to collapse without warning. A shunt was inserted in his brain immediately to relieve the pressure, and my wife and I spent the next several weeks getting opinions and treatment options from three neurosurgeons. They all agreed that because of the tumor’s size and location, it was necessary to operate and attempt to remove as much as possible. The outlook was serious, to say the least!

Things started to go wrong almost immediately. The neurosurgeon had trouble locating the tumor (it’s all the same colour once you get in there) and the pupil in his left eye dilated during the operation.

Even though most of the tumor was removed, in the following days his brain swelled, resulting in the paralysis of his right arm and both legs. When it was apparent that he was not breathing for himself, the staff from the hospital put together his ‘in loving memories’ memento, which is given to all parents whose children die in the intensive care unit. We were told that he was unlikely to survive.

During this time our church started praying fervently. Christians from other churches and countries joined in the vigil as our little boy’s life hung in the balance. Everything except our utter dependence on the Lord was stripped away as medical science reached the end of its capabilities.

Then, and only then, did God reveal to us that Joel’s time was not yet up. His life support system was turned down, and to everyone’s amazement, Joel started to breathe for himself. For the first time since his second operation, there was movement in his left arm. From then on he has made a steady improvement, and we thank God every day for preserving him.

Joel still has paralysis in his right arm and cannot walk as yet, but he recently celebrated his second birthday, to the delight of all those who have prayed so earnestly for him. His infectious laugh and beautiful smile is enough to make even the most burdensome problems melt away. Without realising it, Joel has ministered to many people who see God’s love shining, through eyes that do not line up or legs that cannot walk or run.

I watch the developments in new research daily and would take advantage of any new treatments using adult stem cells that would help repair his damaged brain and give back some movement to his arm and legs. But even if this research is never able to help my son, my priority is guiding him to know Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour. Regardless of the state of Joel’s body, he is loved and valued by his parents and his Creator, and ultimately it will be his dependence on God, not his physical stature, that his Heavenly Father will use to bring glory and honour to His Name.

My wife Debbie and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pastors Eadred Bryans and Darryn Windolf for their spiritual support, the congregation at Hertford Street Baptist Church for their prayers and encouragement, the staff at Xavier and all those who have prayed and written to us during these challenging times.

by John Ventnor courtesy of The Queensland Baptist