I have a friend. Let’s call him John.
John was born into a religion fairly different from Christianity. He decided to accept Jesus as his saviour (if that is the correct terminology) some time in his teens, after an experience that was of great significance to him. He decided that his Lord had put him on earth to serve humanity and to work for the betterment of those in difficult circumstances.
To this end, he began a degree in medicine. Over the years, as he studied to become a doctor, he spent his holidays doing medical mission work in hospitals in far-flung, remote regions. Hospitals where basic infrastructure was absent. Hospitals where tribal people came to him impaled on spears and stuck with arrows. Hospitals where children died of diseases that should have been cured easily but weren’t because there were no resources to buy the correct medication. He spent his time there, earning nothing, but working with these people because he felt this was his calling, his mandate.
Two months from now, he will graduate and become Dr.John. He will not be able to go into the field as a medical missionary immediately, though, because of some legal issues. As part of his student debt repayment, he is bonded to work in the city for a few years. Has this put a pause in his desire to help those in need? It hasn’t. He just went and pledged 70% of his salary to the causes he supports.
Seventy percent. Seventy percent.
Is he from a rich family? Nope, not even near it. He’s just going to live the way he’s been living the last few years, he says. No flashiness, no unnecessary assets. He keeps what he needs and the rest goes to the people who need it more than him. As simple as that.
I’m proud of him. So very proud of him, my heart could burst.
I’m glad the world has people like him in it. There may not be enough of them, but at least there are a few to make up for all the ordinary people such as I am. They are the ones who truly make a difference to lives around them.
He will never see this message here, but still -
John, I hold you in high esteem and am honoured that you consider me a close friend. You are a good man and a good Christian. I love you.
