Back in the mid 1800’s, during the dawn of modern medicine, there was a doctor and obstetrician by the name of Dr Ignaz Semmelweis. He worked at Vienna General Hospital which was infamous at the time for its horrendous mortality rate among the women giving birth there. 1 out of ten women would die on the operating table during childbirth. It came to a point where women were choosing to give birth at home or on the streets instead of being brought to that hospital. Naturally, this has bothered Dr Ignaz and he was obsessed with finding a solution to the problem. He decided to step back in helping the staff when it came to delivering children in the hospital to immerse in study and figure out why this was happening.
Now when he left, he was surprised to know that in his absence the mortality rate was significantly reduced, sometimes recording a rate of zero fatalities for 50 deliveries. He then went on to find out that he was the problem. But what went wrong? What was he doing that caused all of this? It was his work with cadavers. While still working at the maternity ward, Dr. Ignaz would dissect cadavers and when a patient came in, he would be part of the delivery process. The microscopic germs from him handling the cadavers would infect the pregnant woman thus contributing significantly to the chances of the woman getting sick. And he fathered the policy of making sure that a medical worker’s hands are always disinfected.
Notice how such a seemingly small gesture can make a big impact. And this is why we are called to be salt and light. Salt can be viewed as small, but its impact is very evident in a dish. Now the big question is, how is your impact? Your impact on the people around you? Your impact on the great commission that we are called to do?
Your impact is contagious. It can ignite the fire in some people, and it can also extinguish that fire. Being mindful of your impact goes a long way. And looking at it from another angle is what the Apostle Paul mentioned in his letter to the Romans (12:2)
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Be wary of what you compromise for in this world. Because it may seem like a small microscopic thing, and before you know it, 1 out of 10 people are dying in your hospital. Be vigilant in each and every aspect of your walk with Christ even in this quarantine situation. Never miss a Sunday service. Be consistent with your devotional and prayer. Keep encouraging people and sharing the word. This quarantine is not an excuse for you to stop doing what we were called to do as Christians, but an opportunity to reach out to more people in different avenues. And remember, no matter how small you may perceive an idea that the Lord gives you, you’ll never know how big of an impact that can make.
