Yesterday
my first grandchild was born – Luke Wesley denBok. He came into the world amid
a flurry of activity and mixed emotions, as life’s complications threatened to
deprive us of the sheer joy of the moment. But into this world he came, ready
or not.
His
birth, to me, was like a microcosm of life. There were risks involved, the
mid-wife was concerned for his well-being and a Caesarean Section was
considered. Family members were all dealing with their own lives and problems,
while trying to play their part and support the new Mom and Dad and baby. This
new little one is absolutely an intrusion, but such a welcome one.
He
entered the world and was immediately surrounded by people who love him – first
his Mom; then Dad; then Mom’s family; then Dad’s family. And on it goes in
expanding concentric circles. It is as it should be. Sharing the joy of a new
life is good for the soul.
Upon
reflection, what strikes me is the importance of each individual. I mean, we
are all part of the “human race,” but that is such an impersonal thing. The
Psalmist writes of God: “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” This
is true of every individual. Each human being is precious to God; created on
purpose and by design.
As
such we are all worthy of dignity, each endowed by our Creator with an innate
worth. We know that intuitively (or should) when a child is born, but I think
we forget that sometimes when people get a little older. We see the extreme
value that each of us has in the willingness of Christ to sacrifice His own
life for our sake. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)
So, everyone is someone for whom Christ died. The
child born in a mud hut in Africa has every
bit as much value as my grandson born in a modern hospital. The prostitute
working a street corner in Los Angeles is loved
by God just as much as the deacon in the three piece suit at First Church
on Sunday.
I’m reminded of Jesus’ response when asked: what was
the greatest command? He replied, in short, that we are to love God and love
people. He also said that if we have done it (visited, clothed, fed, etc...)
unto the least of these we’ve done it to Him. In other words, our love for God
will be reflected in our love for people.
I read a good example of this in Bill Hybels’ book, “Who
You Are When No One’s Looking.” He said that he “read of a doctor who spends his Wednesday afternoons hanging out with
a dozen homeless people. He talks with them and laughs with them and gives them
medical treatment when they need it. One week, one of the homeless men missed
the Wednesday meeting because he could barely walk. So the wealthy,
well-trained suburban doctor went to find the guy; he sat him down and gently
pried off the homeless man’s shoes and socks. What he found underneath were
feet badly bruised, blistered and infected. There, in a public place, the
doctor sat down on the floor, bathed the man’s sore feet, dressed the wounds
and prayed for the man’s comfort.”
I would like to be like that. I’m afraid I have a long
way to go. My grandson is one day old, and already I’d do anything for him. I
feel the same about all of my family. But everybody is somebody for whom Christ
died. Everyone is worthy of love and dignity. I’m trying to develop a heart for
others; to learn to love ordinary people the way that God loves me. After all, as someone said,
the entire world, with one trifling exception, consists of others. People
matter, all of them, large and small.
Perhaps I'll get there. I hope so. The world would be a better place if more people loved like that. In the meantime, I'm thankful for a special gift from God. Welcome to the world, Luke Wesley denBok,
God has big plans for you.
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