A 5 years check, yesterday, on my triple bypass-operated heart  was not that alarming.  One of the three bypass arteries was blocked though, but the smiling Indian doctor assured me that my heart had found other detours, so I was still okay.  The word “detour” – the detour of the blood – made me think.

In fact, it was an uplifting thought.  Christ is no bypass or detour, my heart shouted with joy!  He is the way, the truth, and the life.  To know Him leaves out the philosophical beating about the bush, as you are in direct ”online” touch with the Eternal Life that cannot die despite my own possible death.  Before 2 o´clock a.m. I was wide awake, jumped out of my bed and hastened to the two young night nurses, Christina and Bente, to share with them this delightful gospel truth.

Bente remarked, ”Oh yes, I have read somewhere the words “ the way, the truth and the life.”  I said, “Yes, we read a lot of good things, but it´s a different story if the words become part of ourselves as a reality, not to mention when we part with this life.”

”Where will you be going then?” Bente asked. -  ”Well, I put that question once to my grandfather when I was just a young believer, 15 years old.  He gave me this answer, ”2 Cor. 5:8 says ”Absent from the body – present with the Lord.” and then he added, ”It´s so simple that even a child understands that!” -  Christina gave me now a warm smile.

I commented on my grandfather´s words:  ”I usually tell my friends, if you some day read that I have died, don´t believe it.  It´s only my body that has been buried, but I myself have changed address.”
”Will you then be home with God?” Bente continued. -  ” Yes indeed, absent from the body and present with the Lord, for He is the Lord of lords and the King of kings.”

”So what else have you been doing?”  Christina wanted to know. -  “In a way I´ve followed my grandfather´s footsteps”, I said.  “He was a business man but preached the gospel at the same time.  You don´t know what a happy man you are talking to right now!”

“But  I don´t want to take more of your precious time”, I said politely, “but thank you for allowing me to share with you these thoughts for the night.”  -  “Don´t you want something to drink?”  Christina asked with loving care.  ”Thank you, I take a cup with me”, and I then walked to a small living room which I had all by myself.  It felt like a vestibule in the presence of the Lord with my precious Bible on the table.  But I didn´t forget to give the two lovely nurses my small “card” with its  brief gospel message.

Later in the morning, after breakfast, I was discharged after two interesting days with a lot of contacts.  But before leaving the hospital Christina smilingly came up to me to say goodbye accompanied with some warm words.  Who knows?  Maybe the word of life has been sowed in the hearts of those two young nurses.  Anyway, I must remember what Spurgeon once said, ”Look around, gentlemen, more than anything the people want to hear the gospel of Jesus!”

-jn-

Nov. 13, 2009