I honestly believe God has a purpose of each one of us. Without God we cannot be what we are today. Especially, this world is a tough one to live in and survive. The world wants us to be happy and enjoy life but only God can give us that happiness and the ability to enjoy life. Many of us may have great name, fame and money but it cannot give us everything. God alone can give us happiness and the ability to enjoy the blessings.

It is our responsibility to serve the Lord in all humility and with joy. The Holy Bible tells us about Obed-Edom who gave Christ the first place in his life by following Him with all his heart. The Lord blessed him and his entire household. Surely the Lord will bless you and your household if you give the Lord the first place in your life. The Bible says in Rev 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” If you open your heart to the Lord surely blessings shall come in your life. We should be like a fruitful tree in our lives bringing the ripe fruits of the season.

We all think we could do anything we wish. Some people don’t even believe in God the Creator. For me personally it is very hard even to think of how the Atheist feel and not believes in the Creator. For example, each one of us was made because of our Parents with the power of God. Think of the millions of children who never had a chance to be born in this world, reasons being many.

Definitely there is a super natural power. It is through the power of God all things happen in this world. Yes, we have money, wealth, richness in this world. Who gave us all this? It’s truly with the power of God. I work in a hospital and seeing my patients everyday and that makes me to write this article. Only when we are inside the hospital, we know what goes on within the four walls of a hospital. Outside it is a different world; people are happy and gay. They make money for the prosperity of themselves and their families. They go out to malls eating, drinking and enjoying. They have a different world. Unless you are really involved inside the hospital or as a family member of a patient, you may really know nothing about the suffering there.

Life is not easy for one and all. I work in a long term unit where there are more than 30 patients who are on trach collars. They are people who cannot breathe like you and me. They have problems with breathing with their nose and mouth. Their airways have problems. So a hole is made in their neck and a tube is inserted which enables them with their breathing. Most often these patients cannot cough up mucus on their own and have to be suctioned. Suctioning is not something liked even by the patients in semi conscious or even coma state. It’s painful. I feel sad to do it, but it’s my job and I feel I am helping a person who can’t cough and to bring up the mucus.

We all act very smart but seldom do we know what could happen to each one of our lives. Today we may walk in pomp and show. But tomorrow is not in our hands. What could happen to each one of us tomorrow cannot be predicted. The Psychics’ might say a few things based on our astrology, stars, etc…

The Lord can perform miracles. Our lives could be cut shot. It really hurts to see some people, really youngsters in coma and semi conscious states. They also have a family. They are also a child of a father and mother. Some may have children too, but their lives were cut short, due to various reasons from accidents to diseases……. Any disease can affect anybody at anytime. There is no time for accidents to happen. We might acquire everything with our greed. But always ask yourselves – But What if My Life was Cut Short? First and foremost thing we should do is, “Always be thankful to God”. Without Him we have nothing. The Lord brought us in this world because He had a mission and purpose for each one of us. If God feels His mission cannot be fulfilled, He will cut short our lives. There are so many innocent lives ending up on ventilators. Poor souls – Did they sin? Need not be! Might be God, had a purpose of them being on the vent so that people involved in their family or close with them to understand suffering from that.

There is no place like home. Home is a sweet place. It is a treasured heaven. A hospital bed is not a home bed, even if you have the nicest of nicest Docs, nurses caring for you. Only if you are in their shoes can we understand their thoughts and feelings.

Personally I have been touched by the tragic deaths of two innocent children. This happened in my hometown of Bangalore. They were my Sunday school students. Both of them were only children for their parents. Both families got these children after 12 years of prayers. The boy was 7 and the girl was 12. It had to happen and it happened. We all went on a Sunday school picnic. It was in one of our church members farms in Bangalore. There was a small lake in the farm and since the children were excited to go boating, the owner’s son decided to take the children for boating in his motor boat. It was mid afternoon and that was the last trip before lunch. There were 7 people in the boat. When the boat reached the middle of the lake, the motor stopped and the boat sank. I witnessed the sinking boat. Unfortunately all were saved except for this one boy and one girl. I have taught Sunday school for both these kids. Both of them lost their lives. Both were innocent children. Why it happened? I don’t know, but it had to happen. It touched my heart. On Oct 25th, it’s going to be 13 years after that incident. But for me, it’s like yesterday. An unforgettable tragedy! My heart goes out for their parents.

Another tragic incident, six years back I lost a nephew. He was a youth of 21 years. Twelve kids went on a boating trip to one of the famous water resorts in Kerala. My nephew skid and fell from the boat. Unfortunately he could not be rescued and we lost him. Again the question of why it happened? I don’t know. Might be God had a purpose. Only God has the power and right to give and take lives.

In conclusion, I like to mention that each one of us must commit our lives to the Lord. Be thankful for all what God has done for us and will do for us. Our family, our wealth and richness are only a gift, mercy and blessing from the Lord Almighty.

Response Addendum:
My wife, a physician/gerontologist worked as chaplain for years; I am quite aware of such stories you refer to. I recall baptizing a beautiful child in 1983; but 15 years late, albeit, she grew up to be an exceedingly gifted, bright and beautiful young woman (Sunday School teacher, assistant church organist etc.) one day I was called to comfort her sobbing parents as she breathed her last! There are no guarantees in life. My teacher Robert Coles used to say, "As you grow older, you must learn to live with ambiguities in life". How realistic!
Rev. John T. Mathew Canada