What Matters Most

I lift my eyes to the mountains from where will my help come? My help comes from Our God, who made heaven and earth!  Psalm 121:1-2

A couple of weeks ago, Jenny and I had a wonderful opportunity to visit a friend in Chicago. We discussed challenging issues, cultural differences, and the lenses we use to look at the world. Our friend told of the struggles and privileges she encounters while working with people in her career. She told how she has mourned with families the loss of their loved ones, but also how she had rejoiced with them when they freely chose to donate the organs of a loved one to allow other people to live. What a sacrifice and a mixed feel¬ing of great loss and extreme love!

She told of an eighteen-year-old gang member who was shot in an ex¬change of gunfire. He had been full of life, potential, and possibilities with a bright future. Before he died, our friend had an opportunity to discuss with the family the possibility of donating organs. As she was getting closer to asking, family members were lamenting, cursing, and planning revenge. She courageously and lovingly approached and asked whether they would con¬sider donating the organs. They stopped and nodded yes. Shecontinued by saying that the organs could be used to save the life of bad guys who the community would want off the street. They stopped again, thought a couple of minutes, and then said it was OK to do so. My friend continued further, knowing she had established a firm relationship. She said. "We could use them to save the lives of the gang that shot your beloved." The family mem¬bers stopped, tears dropping.  Then they nodded and said. "It is fine with us to use the organs to save the life of any person regardless of who that person is."

As I ask what matters most for me in life, I am reminded of the inspirational behavior of that family. It was Christ's way.

My mission and vision should be centered on accomplishing God's peace¬ful reign. I must love genuinely - even my enemies and perpetrators - stay on track, and walk steadily and humbly with Jesus in his way of life.

What matters most to me? I guess being in the service of my fellow hu¬mans, giving life to God's precious children, recognizing that in their welfare resides my own.

~Bunda Chibwe

Council of Twelve Apostles