Going to a hospital was like going to the mechanics shop. They examined the human machine for all the working, worn, and parts needing repair. They had labels for parts with which I was only vaguely familiar and parts of parts of which I was completely unfamiliar. They used words about my human machinery that denoted all kinds of inferences and understanding that were completely beyond me, using words as unfamiliar to me as the rarest dialect on earth.

The examinations proved that I had the flu and an infection, both treatable. They also verified my age, all wear and tear, and all the possibilities that needed further follow up, just for safety’s sake. I’m now doing all the follow ups realizing that I’ve become a sack of parts. I once went to a doctor with symptoms and received a diagnosis and treatment. Now I go to have one organ checked at a time with as many different doctors. I’m meeting lots of new people and paying for the opportunity. I’m beginning to wonder if they have a specialist in cracked fingernails.

The point seems to be about awareness. The body says that earth and its realities are all that exist. The soul has quite a different explanation. The soul says that the physical world is the tip of the iceberg and shows insight into the unseen world that is, as or more, real than the visible one around us. It takes time, effort, and reflection to see the invisible reality through the images cast by the physical experience. The visible world is living on a timeline that has a beginning and an end. There is a limit to how long the world can survive the destruction of our misuse, just like humans wear out after a period of time. None of us know the length of days assigned to anything or anyone. Decay and death may be inevitable, but length of survival during the process is anyone’s guess.

The many exams show me that there are many little and large unknowns at work in the system of my body that have not reached the crisis point that brings them to the surface. I believe that is a parallel to the inner workings of the soul. There is much that is unseen until you go looking for it to uncover the real workings which can and should be discovered, the behind the scenes awarenesses. I believe prayer and reflection is the way for the eternal doctor (Jesus) to see and reveal the hidden workings, some to be dealt with and others to be celebrated. Jesus gave us a model of how to operate with an invisible, eternal relationship. He became physical to be the communication example and life conduit.