I Touched the Feet of Jesus, Well Sort Of

My experience with the unknown was intimidating, but necessary when it involved a long, unpredictable illness. Trusting professional caregivers is essential. But we have to be open to how God answers prayers. My faith was and is tested with a roller coaster of a health crisis, so I was going for a second opinion at Johns Hopkins University. These illnesses complicate life. They don’t fit into the proverbial box, and because of this, my favorite doc suggested I visit the renowned hospital, hoping to gain direction on my treatment options.

Regardless of the day, we made our way to the statue. This was a prominent landmark at this hospital. I’d heard of this exquisite piece before heading to Hopkins. To touch the statues held as much weight as seeing the specialist. Due to the thousands before who sought hope there.

As we got closer to the hospital, concern crept. My overwhelm gave way to underwhelm; with the tattered surroundings of the neighborhood, the sparkles of the city I imagined diminished.

I knew every city has its thorns. I suppose I just imagined this place to present like the bewildering OZ! Poverty and illness are unwanted; still they are unlikely to escape, even when we dream them away. Sadly, patients from battle-torn streets and across the globe continue to arrive at Hopkins, a beacon of hope, while amongst the impoverished streets in its proximity.

I noticed the raw emotion I was feeling was giving way to a strange curiosity as I saw the actual battle of poverty on the outskirts of the University property. This renowned city had not gone unscathed by time and decay. A broken body, it too has suffered internal changes and a simultaneous, desperate to revitalize. Funny how the disease of this city matched my condition!

Hopkins stands for research and discoveries; thus, we may expect healing possibilities to spill over into the community profoundly, making it a city of hope! Disappointment attempts to capture me as we get sucked into the fears of an inner-city. We lock the doors as the neighborhood reflects a lack of safety, with a haphazard presence of guns and drugs. Children are alone, and older couples sit amongst the ruins of what was once their haven.

We should have expected the scene before us. Still, a sadness arises with the reality that our America, the America we love that stands for freedom and possibilities, is in pain and trying to survive. Hoping for an image of hope within crisis. Maybe the state of mind, need something less out of control.

Tears swell with the feelings of loss and lack of security afforded our inner cities that suffer this breakdown. We break inside for lost children on the streets and the adults falling victim to circumstances. We close our eyes and say a prayer for their future, holding to hope for them and ourselves.

We take in the images, block by block. As we get closer, the GPS states, “in 500 yards, turn right,” and there it is, John Hopkins Hospital, a city within a city. Settled in among the brokenness, a place of hope emerges. There are a beautiful series of buildings. It no longer represents buildings in the town but a time, past and present. The older buildings appear to be from the old days, with arches and domes pulled together by decorative cement; many buildings have a cross on top. The path that surrounds the older part of the facility has a vintage feel; if you close your eyes, you can almost imagine the past. The women wore corset dresses in coiffed hairdos, fashionable hats, and twirling parasols, perhaps even pushing antique baby carriages.

Today, bright colors in windows mark a new Children’s Hospital opening in the spring. Crisp lines of contemporary construction with more glass windows to bring in some nature and brightness.

Both old and new structures do their best to emit light into the interior walls and create some peace in a chaotic but smooth-running system. The parking garages, charging hefty fees, greet us before we reach the buildings. I guess they have to pay for the city within a city somehow. The Hope of Hopkins, a glorious sight, even amidst tattered neighborhoods.

As we enter the garage and then the outpatient center has a rhythmic pulse as you go through the doors that seem to capture your heart. We make our way to check-in, where you receive an orange bracelet showing your arrival for the upcoming appointment. Our stomachs growl. My muscles fatigue from the day’s tests, making me tired. So we make our way to a food court area as my husband knows it’s essential to get something while we can. He expects my reactions to be anxious. Early arrival was ensured by him so we could leisurely walk to the statue. Gently, he eases me up the stairs toward the famous artwork. Though the stairs are few, each one is now tough because of significant muscle fatigue, hence the reason for our visit! However, my eagerness to see and touch this famous Jesus statue takes over.

We reach the campus’ central entrance, in the oldest part of this enormous facility. Through the windows, distant confirmation: we’re here. My husband opens the door, and we go the last steps to the most glorious statue of Jesus.

It stands ten feet tall and wide in the circumference of His most precious body, and arms are outstretched. It feels like being pulled into the biggest hug imaginable. We were in silence and awe as we searched every crease in His chiseled cement garment.

As we gaze at the statue, a frail middle-aged man and his wife walk toward it to touch the feet of the figure. They sought to get as close as possible to the feet of our Jesus! To show respect, we observed the hall’s atmosphere. Somewhat anxious, we waited our turn. We were not speaking, and at last, we inched our way to touch the large grounded feet with the markings of Christ’s crucifixion. Our hands moved in unison as we set them there, and the silence was unifying and solemn. At that moment, a shared, silent prayer to Jesus united us. The unspoken understanding was electrifying; a potent connection bound us to that spot. As we leave the statue, we see the guest book.

We hurried to place a prayer within the book to symbolize our unity of strength, faith, and hope in our future. As a couple, for our family, and two individuals following God’s will. Our weaknesses and trust in facing everything with Jesus at that moment.

Once home from my visit to John Hopkins; it was not long before I encountered another medical emergency. To avoid getting worse, my family took me to the emergency room, but I still ended up in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit. Even though I wore the breathing machine and oxygen mask, I felt a smile form in my heart as an internal chuckle tried to escape. The worship music played in my ICU cubicle when I realized it. God had rearranged my playlist. He sent me something to encourage my heart just as I was about to give up.

The weight and gravity of the situation lifted, and peace replaced my fear. My visit to the statue and what it represents was empowering me in the present moment. It was immediate relief when I felt Him surround me in His perfect grasp. I received wonderful medical care from the specialist there at Hopkins, but I was more affected by the touch of the Jesus statue. God remains the ultimate healer. He was reminding me to maintain a strong faith! Chaos looms; but I’ll hold fast to Jesus.

Who knew God could answer prayers through a playlist and a statue? Then again, He uses everything!

Hebrews 11~ Faith in Action

"1 Now, faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God's command so that what is seen was not made of what was visible. 4 By faith, Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith, he was commended as righteous when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith, Abel still speaks, even though he is dead."

Isaiah 43 ~ Israel's Only Savior

"1 But now, this is what the LORD says,

He who created you, Jacob,

He who formed you, Israel:

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

And when you pass through the rivers,

They will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

You will not be burned;

The flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior"

Romans 5:3-5

"3 Not only so, but we [a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

2 Corinthians 4~Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

"1 Therefore, since through God's mercy, we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception or distort God's word. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly, we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," [a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God, not us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.13 It is written: "I believed; therefore, I have spoken." [b] Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith, we also believe and, therefore, speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.16 Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly, we are wasting away, inwardly, we are being renewed daily. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."