Coffin nails

In the cut throat world of the Australian state school system in the 1980's and early 1990's, kids were often under considerable peer group pressure to take up cigarette smoking in order to fit in and be seen as "cool." As I was never part of the in crowd, this never concerned me.

To combat this, in 1986 public health authorities devised the Bag the Fag campaign, reaching the youth of Australia with the message that they didn't have to smoke to be cool, just like the trendy looking, but clean living people in this promotional video. I have no idea if the singer wearing sunglasses is Brian Mannix from the Uncanny X-Men, or a lookalike. The song also sounds similar to Pete Townsend's solo hit from the previous year, Face the Face. 

To heal or not to heal

This is from a devotional I gave at work this week on Mark 10:46-52, the healing of Bartimaeus.

As we see in Mark 10:35-45, the disciples arguing amongst themselves over their own positions. James and John missed the point of what Jesus was about.

What a contrast this is to Bartimaeus, whose story is told in Mark 10:46-52. We see him showsing humility, faith, and persistence. He can’t physically see Jesus, but understands who he is better than the disciples. He must have heard of Jesus’ reputation as a healer, and seized the opportunity to approach him. He called him “Son of David;” which a Messianic title. Of course, we know that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David. This title is also used in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Jesus accepted Bartimaeus’s affirmation of him as the Messiah. He was not the military figure the crowd was expecting.

Jesus healed Bartimaeus, and immediately he followed Jesus. He could now see him physically as well as spiritually. On the way to Jerusalem for the Passover, as we all know, Jesus will later encounter religious leaders whose blindness to Jesus contrasts to the faith of Bartimaeus. He believed in him before he could see him, but the religious leaders did neither.

To my mind, all of this raises the issue of healing. It’s interesting to note that in faith, Bartimaeus asked Jesus for healing, and he received it, and went on following Jesus afterwards. What do we say in our day and age? Christians with long-term health problems and other afflictions might spend years praying or having others pray for their deliverance or healing, and not receive it. What do we say to them? Often the response to this question from other Christians is less than helpful. It's easy to understand why ill Christians can often go through crises of faith.

We also high profile evangelists, who shall not be named here, who travel the world running healing crusades. Their critics assert that they give people false hope. Rather than looking to Jesus, hope for healing is based on putting trust in the evangelist or donating money to their organisation. They claim that God will heal by a trickle down effect, often saying words to the effect of, "Believe for a miracle in your life. Make an offering to my ministry, and you will be healed."

I don’t have much time for people like that. If you know anything about some of my life experiences, or read my testimony, you’d understand why.

As I read through the Gospels and the remainder of the New Testament, I see that God can and does heal, but when He does, it’s for His glory alone, and not for the person doing the healing to take all the glory for themselves.

I’m not saying I don’t believe in healing. I’ve seen it, but haven’t experienced it personally (yet). In my time, I’ve prayed for healing for people, and have been prayed for myself, but haven’t been healed. I’ve been to healing services at my church where I’ve had hands laid on me and been anointed with oil, with no result. The last time such a service was held, I didn’t go forward for prayer. This either indicates unbelief or lack of faith on my part, or an acceptance that perhaps it's not in God's will for me to be healed. This will of course have implications in limiting possibilities for areas of ministry and service.

If God doesn’t heal you, He will give you the grace and strength to carry on, and to serve Him as you are able. They’re just my views, and might not be much consolation to others, but they're the best answer I have at this point in time. If you think differently, than I’m open to correction.

More from the bookshelf

As well as reading for my Introduction to Theology class at Kingsley, I also try to make time to read books dealing with issues that interest me, as the need arises. In I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just a Little Unwell, Australian journalist Leigh Hatcher writes of his experiences as a sufferer of chronic fatigue syndrome. I have several friends and acquaintances who have either suffered or are currently suffering from this much misunderstood and debilating illness.

As a pastoral care issue, my reason for reading this book was to gain a better understanding of this issue. I've never suffered from chronic fatigue myself, but genuinely sympathise with those who do. In 2001, basically through over exertion, stress, and inadequate sleep, I went through a period of constantly being tired and run down, with a host of unpleasant symptoms that I won't write about here. After some blood tests, which only revealed a low platelet count, my doctor advised me to make some lifestyle adjustments, and eventually this seemed to rectify the situation. However, as you'll see from Hatcher's book, chronic fatigue is a complex illness to manage.

In vividly describing his experiences, Hatcher takes the reader inside the mind of the chronic fatigue sufferer, to the extent that you see the world through his eyes. We also see the hurt and betrayal he felt from friends and colleagues who questioned that he was genuinely ill. Sadly, some of those who hurt and betrayed him were Christians, who you would somewhat naively hope would be more compassionate, supportive, and understanding than that. Nevertheless, Hatcher's faith was instrumental in his recovery, and gave him the strength to persevere and recover.

If you suffer from chronic fatigue, or indeed any other long-term illness, or know someone who does, this tome comes highly recommended to you. You'll draw some encouragement and inspiration from it. It's available from Koorong and other good Christian bookstores. For more information, visit Leigh's website, http://notcrazy.net/