Created Through Touch
by Dan Jones, M.D.
Genesis 2:7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Touch is a powerful tool in any human relationship. In the relationship between a health professional and a patient, touch is a tool for which there is no substitute. It creates a bond and trust that can be an essential part of the healing process.
In His relationship with man, God began with touch. In the first and second chapter of Genesis, we see the account of the creation. Moses recorded these words about the first day of creation. 3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. In subsequent verses, Moses tells us how God spoke and brought into being other parts of His creation. His voice was powerful and created all of what is - with one exception - man.
When God created man, he took the dust of the earth in His hand and formed man with His own hands. What a wonderful realization that we begin our life as a result of the touch of God.
And God passes on to us this special gift of touch. He made us in His own image. It is through us that others can see God and His love. And sometimes, it is through this special gift of touch, that we are able to allow others to see Him best.
In my work as a medical missionary, I was sometimes struck by the "inefficiencies" of some of our work. During a mobile clinic early in my time in Korea, I pointed out to an older colleague who had been working there for years the lack of long-term medical benefit of the use of hot packs for back pain in our clinic. He patiently explained that he and others on the team were well aware of the medical limitations of this treatment. He went on to explain the opportunities created by the use of the hot packs.
First, the patients feel some immediate relief of their pain. Secondly, it affords an opportunity for direct physical contact - touch. Over the years, the team had noted the importance of this touch in establishing a rapport with the patients across cultural and language gaps. This physical touch created a bond and an opportunity to demonstrate acceptance and God's love. By the end of my first clinic experience, I was a believer. After that, my definition of effective therapy was changed forever.
Lord, help me to love others through touch as you love me.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
Photo by Pawel Nolbert on Unsplash
