by Donna J. Woodring

ME? A PERMANENT REJECT? How utterly deflating!

Along with many others in our country I anticipated making a contribution on Blood Donor Day. Some were turned away because of temporarily impure blood resulting from colds, cuts, wounds not completely healed, or medications. They were advised, “Try again next time.” Then there were the few who were told, “We appreciate your willingness, but with your medical history, you are considered a permanent reject.” What a disappointment those words were to me.

For many, Blood Donor Day is an exciting time. One restaurant gives a free chicken dinner to each donor; another gives some steak dinners. Everyone who participates insures the blood needs of his family for a year. If enough people respond, everyone in the county has coverage. All who give enjoy the privilege of wearing a brag badge that says, “I saved a life today. I donated blood,” or “Be nice to me. I gave blood today.”

As man gives blood for man to save human life, so Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on Calvary to give man eternal life. His is the pure blood of the spotless Lamb of God, forever acceptable to the Father for all sin.

Our Savior never wore a badge to brag about His sacrifice. The ugly nail prints in His hands and feet, the scar in His wounded side, shout to the ends of the earth through all ages, “I loved! I gave!” Though given over 2,000 years ago, His blood has never lost its power.

As a teenager I found new life through this blessed Redeemer. He saved me from all my sins and I knew it. A few days later He sanctified my heart and I’ve enjoyed life more abundant ever since. If I keep walking in the light as He is in the light, the blood of Jesus will keep me clean. Eternal coverage with all its benefits, too high and holy to comprehend now, will someday enable me to see my Savior face-to-face.

My heart can sing with William Cowper,

There is a fountain filled with blood 

Drawn from Immanuel’s veins, 

And sinners, plunged beneath that flood 

Lose all their guilty stains: 

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream 

Thy flowing wounds supply,

Redeeming love has been my theme,

 And shall be till I die.

Though never able to get the free dinner, nor wear a blood donor’s brag badge, I can wear on my countenance the radiance and restfulness of one who is at peace with God. Though a permanent reject as a donor, I’m the eternal recipient of the blessings of Christ’s shed blood: You can be, too. He said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37)

 

Originally Published in the January 1, 1984 edition of the Herald of Holiness.