I recently started giving blood. So far, I’ve given 6 units. I have a Red Cross app on my phone that keeps track for me. Once I’ve given 8 units, I reach a special milestone. I don’t really know what that means. I don’t give blood expecting any kind of reward. It has always been enough to feel like I was making a difference. Maybe even saving a life. I’ve saved 6 lives? Wow, doing good really makes me feel good about myself. Look at me go!
But then, I read on the Red Cross website about how one man alone has received 156 units of blood products to date due to severe health issues. It popped my bubble a little. Maybe I don’t save a life every time I give blood? Sure, my donation may prolong a life. It might give them more time. But it doesn’t save their life. It’s a temporary fix.
Like that man, my blood may only save them until they need more blood in a few hours, days, or weeks. My donation may be just enough for them to live to fight another day.
At best, my donation helps them fully recover and they never need blood again. They go on to lead a full and happy life. But that doesn’t mean they are immortal. Death will come for them someday, same as all of us. My blood simply doesn’t have the power to save lives for eternity.
You know the lyric, “there’s power in blood, power in the blood…”? Well, we aren’t singing about human blood apparently.
His blood, though? The blood of the Lamb of God? It takes away the sins of the world. Dang, that’s powerful! And without sin, we can stand before a Holy God, forgiven, redeemed. And saved. Eternally.
My perspective has changed. Now, I don’t give blood because people need my blood. I give blood because people need His. And maybe by showing just a hint of His huge sacrifice though my tiny sacrifice, they’ll meet Him.
My blood doesn’t have the power to save lives. But His does. So, I show up, roll up my sleeve and ask Him to take my little sacrifice to bless someone in a BIG way. Not just in a temporary way but an eternal one.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…”
-Ephesians 1:7
****The Red Cross is almost always experiencing an emergency shortage of blood products, any type. If you are able to give that gift to bless someone else, call the Red Cross!****
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