ALL IN VEIN
There's nothing that tickles my interest more than watching a professional professionalize. Their area of expertise doesn't really matter. They could be a chef cooking, a waitress serving, a barber cutting, or a carpenter hitting nails. It's all poetry to me as long as it's a professional performing. Maybe you're wondering what I mean by the word "professional"? I wouldn't blame you. It seems that true professionals are about as numerous as clean comedians!
Well, my definition of a "professional" begins with the words: "A skilled technician". A professional is someone who really knows what they're doing; a person whose workmanship carries with it an unmistakable sense of quality and skill. But, more than that, a real professional must also act like a professional. They must always be prompt, polite, accommodating and confident, but not arrogant. When you're in the presence of a real professional, you know it — even if you haven't a clue about the inner workings of their profession. Why? Because they make it look easy! A real professional will put you at ease and make your experience a pleasure. Last week I met a professional.
I had to go over to the local hospital in Black's Harbour and get some blood taken for a few tests. Now I realize that some people hate needles and tremble at the site of blood, but I'm not one of them. At the same time, I don't like being a victim of a drive-by stabbing, either! In other words, I've had lots of trials while they've tried to fill those vials. The problem rests in the fact that I have rather deep veins that are hard to find. At least that's what I've been told.
I remember one incident in particular. I was about thirteen and in a hospital in Toronto. While I was lying there, acting like a bona fide paradigm of the perfect patient, a nurse came in and asked me if it would be ok for a student nurse to take my blood this time. I cheerfully agreed. Unfortunately, what remains of my memory are only the faintest flashes and flickerings about the horror that then ensued. Suffice it to say that after several attempts by the student nurse, who must have attended the Jack the Ripper School of Medicine, I called a truce.
Blood was everywhere, including the ceiling (really) but nary a drop hit the bottom of the vial. In the end I had holes in both arms and in my hands as well. Finally, an experienced nurse saved me from the slasher and after an attempt or two, got the blood for which they were looking.
Now I tell you that story simply to point out that I am not the easiest patient from whom to get blood. But last week was different. The nurse taking blood in Black's Harbour got my vein the first time. She didn't have to look at both arms. She didn't make a comment, or a hesitation, she just did it. BAM! My body had yet to warm the seat. I was still getting comfortable, and it was over! I was seriously impressed and marvel at her puncturing prowess.
I knew she couldn't see my vein, so I asked her how she hit red pay dirt so fast. She replied, "I didn't have to see your vein, I only had to feel it. I don't have to see what I'm looking for as long as I know it's there!" She knew my vein was there--even though she couldn't see it. Then she acted by faith, not by sight. I don't have to tell you that I was even more impressed after her comment.
Do you want to be a professional Christian? By that, I mean - do you want to be skilled? Confident? Able? Do you want to make the difficult task of walking in Christ look easy? Do you want others to look at you and say, "Ah, now there goes a Christian!"? If so, then learn from this maestro of the medical lab.
First, she was focused. She takes blood from people. That's all she does! Too often we're a jack of all trades, and skilled at none (double-minded). One thing's for sure, you can't be a professional anything without a focus. In point of fact, it's time spent and effort expended that spans the chasm between "professional" and "amateur", "skilled" and "hack". Weekend golfers, even if they wear polyester, just don't win PGA tournaments. So here come the questions: how much time do you spend in the Word? How much time do you spend in prayer? How much time do you spend with other believers? Are you satisfied with an amateur standing? We need to be focused, and determined, if we want to grow in Christ. If we are, God will meet us with His power and grace, and make our efforts really count for something.
Second, she was experienced. She sticks people all day long. That means that she's seen a lot of arms. She's come across every conceivable situation. No wonder she didn't need to see my vein to know it was there! She didn't need to see because she had faith in her abilities--the kind of faith that only comes from experience. It's the same for us as Christians. You cannot grow in faith without the experience of living by faith.
God tells us to "Taste and see that the LORD is good."(Ps 34:8) You have to trust God. You have to keep trusting God. You have to submit yourself to His care. You have to get comfortable with the fact that God really is there, even though you can't see Him. The only way you can do that is by experience. The more you trust Him, the more you rely on Him. The more you follow Him, even when you don't understand, the more He will prove Himself to you, and the more confident you will be that He is there. Then, with enough experience, you won't have to poke and stab so much before you hit the target of living by faith.
Prayer
Lord God, help us focus on living for You. Help us to be determined to do all we can to know and follow You. Lord, help us to trust You with a little bit more of our lives, a little bit more of ourselves each day so that our faith will grow in confidence and boldness and power. Help us live lives of faith which clearly glorify You to everyone we meet! Amen.
