-by Dr. Michael Misja-
Life has a way of surprising us with unexpected turns, taking us on a transformative journey that touches the deepest recesses of our hearts. I’d like to share with you a personal odyssey that led me to experience profound gratitude, unearthed guilt, and ultimately, divine encounters.
Some years ago, the pain in my hips had reached an unbearable level. Despite trying all available remedies, it was evident that nothing would suffice. My joints were beyond repair, necessitating replacement surgeries. And so, after having both hips replaced with titanium, I embarked on a year of healing and rehabilitation that led to a return to a complete recovery.
While I’ll admit gratitude hasn’t always been my strong suit, I couldn’t ignore the blessings that unfolded before me. I was fortunate to have a skilled surgeon, dedicated healthcare professionals, and access to state-of-the-art medical facilities. In the era I lived and the location in which I resided, such a miraculous transformation was possible. My heart overflowed with thankfulness to God for this undeserved grace.
Yet, amid my joy, a poignant question arose: What if I lived in a third-world country where such blessings were beyond reach? I had spent time in several poor countries where hope for a better life was non-existent. The thought of others enduring pain without hope of healing stirred within me grief and guilt, akin to survivor’s guilt. Why was I chosen for this gift of mobility while others languished in pain and despair?
My quest for answers took an unexpected turn when I embarked on a medical mission trip to Honduras with my daughter, Chessie. My plan was to support the medical team by doing whatever menial tasks I could, but God had different intentions. Rather than staying in the background, on the first day of surgery, I found myself standing shoulder to shoulder with gifted orthopedic surgeons, assisting in a hip replacement surgery—a procedure I had twice undergone myself.
At that moment, God’s voice whispered into my soul, unraveling the complexities of my emotions. He wanted me to receive the blessing of my new hips with joy and gratitude. Moreover, He allowed me to play a small role in granting the same gift to another soul, ending their suffering and transforming their life. My distress turned into awe-struck appreciation and unbridled joy at being used to bless another in the same way I had been blessed.
Yet, this experience opened my heart to a more profound realization. It took me back to a momentous event 46 years ago when God, in His mercy, granted me a spiritual “replacement.” He beckoned me, saying, “I’m no longer waiting for you; you are mine. Follow me.” I received new life, a clean heart, and salvation through His son, Jesus. This ultimate gift was unearned and undeserved, just like my new hips.
Through this journey of gratitude, guilt, and divine encounters, I have come to understand the beauty of God’s grace. He blesses us not only to receive but also to give. As I share my joy and gratitude with others, I am reminded of the free gift of salvation available to all. It’s a gift that completes the circle of love, embracing us in the boundless compassion of our Creator.
I pray we can all be awakened to the blessings we’ve received and be inspired to share our joy with others, guiding them to the ultimate free gift of God’s love: the salvation of our souls.
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