Why Are We Drawn to Dr. Kent Brantly?
Kent Brantly, the ebola infected doctor affiliated with Samaritan’s Purse, is a man we both don’t want to be and want to be.
It was interesting to listen to reports of Americans very concerned with Brantly being brought to the United States because they were afraid of having ebola in the country. Imagine what it is like to be Brantly with ebola in his body. Brantly, who worked with ebola patients in Liberia, knows more than most of us what ebola can do to the human body. He has watched many people suffer and most of them die. Imagine what that is like for him. None of us would want to be in his position.
Our human nature is to turn away from suffering so we can maintain our illusion of perfection. Yet we are drawn to the story of Brantly. The reason is that there is a part of us that wishes we were him. This is a man who loved God and people so much that he put comfort aside to help those in need. When the ebola outbreak started, Brantly chose to put his life at risk to work with the patients. Having contracted ebola during his selfless ministry, he has only shown bravery and strength during this trial. It was a breathtaking image to watch Brantly, despite the seriousness of his condition, walk from the ambulance to the hospital. I will admit that I find Brantly to be personally inspiring.
When we look at Brantly, we see a picture of what a Christian is supposed to be like. We see faith. We see love. We see service. Perhaps our hearts are pricked by our willingness to embrace comfortable Christianity. As long as we have rocking worship and engaging sermons we are happy. But is God happy? What if every Christian was like Brantly?
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to put Brantly on a pedestal. I am sure he has his issues. I doubt he is the perfect Christian. But this particular experience in his life may be used by God to challenge us. I am not saying that is why he is sick, but God can use any circumstance. We can watch Brantly’s trial as an observer or we can watch as a student, ready to learn.
