IN the Sept. 12 issue of a national daily, there was this news story about the once-famous movie and media personality going back to the Philippines. She’s flying back home to seek encouragement from her family as she faces more health challenges in what she now calls the “fight of [her] life.”
In that news story, it was emphasized that the actress is now battling with six autoimmune diseases and stressed that she is trying to keep her vital organs intact.
The publication quoted her as saying, “Sadly, what was the BATTLE TO IMPROVE MY HEALTH is now THE STRUGGLE TO PROTECT MY VITAL ORGANS. This is now the FIGHT OF MY LIFE.”
As I was reading the quoted statement from that famous personality, I could very well see how she’s putting her trust in what she can do or what the doctors can do to extend her life.
A line of thought that I think is erroneous.
Nothing in this world is ours
In the vastness of human existence, a profound truth is often overlooked — the divine ownership of our lives. The Bible, a timeless source of wisdom, eloquently articulates this concept, challenging the modern notion that life is solely within our control.
The Book of Job, a narrative rich with theological insights, provides a compelling case for divine ownership. Job, a righteous man, endures immense suffering, yet he proclaims, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21). This passage underscores the biblical view that life is a gift from God, and it is to Him that we ultimately return.
Furthermore, Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This verse extends the concept of ownership to not just the earth but all living beings within it, including humans. It suggests that as creations of God, we are stewards of our lives, not owners.
Moreover, the New Testament also echoes this sentiment. Jesus, in the Gospel of Luke, tells the Parable of the Rich Fool, who amasses wealth without acknowledging God’s sovereignty. God addresses the fool, saying, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (Luke 12:20). This parable serves as a stark reminder that our lives are fleeting and that God has the power to claim them at any moment.
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Apostle Paul asserts, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” This passage emphasizes the sacredness of our bodies and the reality that we belong to God, having been redeemed by Christ.
In the context of health and medical care, the Bible does not discourage seeking medical attention. However, it does caution against placing absolute trust in human efforts alone. James 4:13-15 advises, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'” This passage underscores the importance of acknowledging God’s will in our plans, including our pursuit of health.
To put it briefly, the biblical perspective on life’s ownership challenges us to view our existence through a divine lens. It calls for a recognition of God’s sovereignty over life, death, and everything in between. While we are encouraged to care for our bodies and seek medical treatment, we must do so with the understanding that God’s will supersedes all. This perspective invites a deeper trust in God’s plan and a more profound appreciation for the gift of life.
