What’s Up, Doc?

I met a doctor yesterday.  A specialist.  I had gone there with a friend who wanted some help in listening and discerning as we both asked questions.

It wasn’t a trivial thing — the surgery this doctor was proposing.  So why did it seem like the doctor was somewhat offended that we had questions?

I know some physicians are from “the Old School” and believe patients should just accept (and do) whatever they say.  They have the advanced medical degrees and training, after all.  (As if patient questions are somehow a sign of disrespect).

But are these doctors infallible?  And whose decision is it, anyway?  Whose body is the potential recipient of the risks, should they manifest?  Isn’t a question or two actually a sign of wisdom?

It reminds me of that old joke about the difference between inviting a chicken and a pig to breakfast.  The chicken may come, but the pig is committed.  (I don’t remember the exact punchline, but the visual is inescapable).   🙂

I couldn’t help but think of You, Lord — The Great Physician — who welcomes our every question.  You, Lord — The Infallible One – who has complete knowledge and perfect wisdom.

The Great Physician who is always 100% right in every diagnosis.  Whose “prescriptions” deserve nothing less than complete and unwavering compliance.  Who can be trusted to always have our very best interests at heart.  Who has no hidden agendas seeking Your self-promotion at our expense.  To the contrary, in the face of our own self-promotion, You sacrificed everything.

“… have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness… He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  (Philippians 2:5b-11)

I love that You welcome our every question, Lord!  You don’t judge our questions as ignorant, inappropriate or disrespectful… even when they are.  Why is that, Lord?

Is it because when we are asking, we are turning our minds and heart to You instead of away from You?  Relating to You in the only way we know how in the moment?

Like my first prayer to You, when I was 26 years old and obsessed with thoughts of how to escape my seemingly inescapable pain:  “God, if You exist, You need to help me… because I will not survive if You don’t.”

For me, it was a “last ditch” plea sent out into an unknown universe in sheer desperation. To You, it must have sounded like music to Your ears!

“IF” You exist?  I wanted You to exist.  I needed for You to exist.  I had reached the end of my rope.  And I knew that only something — Someone — greater than me could keep me alive.

And there You were… The Great Physician, indeed!  And here I am.  A patient You have healed and are healing and will heal… until the day I finally and joyfully see You face-to-face!!!

So many prayers with so many questions… raised by “Yours truly” and so many others, throughout so many ages upon ages!

Questions raised in desperation and doubt… sometimes, even in defiance.  Questions raised in ignorance and incredulity.  Divinely-inspired questions.  Leading questions. Loaded questions.  Learning questions.  Questions of wondering and of sheer wonder.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  (Matthew 6:7)

Questions lifted to the One who has Every Answer.  The One who delights in — and is patient with — every patient.  From now and throughout all eternity… where, surely, all will become fully known!

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”  (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Eager to take whatever “medicine” You dispense…

Abba’s Girl

 

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