Sometimes I feel invincible. In the current Covid pandemic environment, feeling invincible can lead to risky social interactions that endanger our own health and the health of others. Young people in particular are falling ill and becoming vectors of disease because their sense of invincibility leads them to disregard sound advice from health professionals.
An air of youthful invincibility isn’t always a bad thing. The teenaged David had the raw courage to take on Goliath when more mature men–men with common sense–backed away.
Canal sculpture, Ottawa, ON — photo by Timothy Kitz
But are we invincible? Our physical bodies certainly aren’t invincible. We are all subject to the vagaries of injury, disease and aging. Though I am 68, until recently, I seemed quite immune to these realities. After all I was feeling fine, energetic and physically active, walking on average over 10,000 steps a day.
Imagine my surprise then when my cardiologist informed me that I needed open heart triple valve repair surgery. In that moment my invincibility took a hit. So, I am mortal after all!
Of course, we all know we are going to die. But we like to put off thoughts of that eventuality as long as possible.
Now here I sit writing this, 24 hours away from the surgeon’s blade. How invincible do I feel? Well, in my spirit I still feel invincible, though I know this body will suffer, and at some point die and decay. My confidence does not lie in my flesh, my abilities or the medical professionals. My confidence is in God.
He who raised Christ from the dead will also raise me to a new life.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26, NIV)
“Do you believe this?” That’s a question we all need to answer. I sincerely hope you can answer, “Yes!”
If through faith you answer in the affirmative, welcome aboard. You too are invincible!
I love the Psalms 