Today I arrived at my office to find an inter-office email titled "Blood Drive Today". My company holds them about three times a year and I never participate. My church holds them semi-annually as well. I don't participate in those either. At this point, 75% of those reading this think I'm a worthless and wretched miscreant. I probably am. But I certainly can't be any more horrible than the indignant hecklers who insist on coercing me into bodily fluid transmit by making me feel like a terrible human being because I don't want to give my own blood. I don't mind needles and I don't mind being asked one million questions about my medical history, nor have I traveled to any of the particular African countries named. I am just somewhat troubled about the notion of giving what I feel is a very important substance to complete strangers. And how can I trust what will really be done with it? Conspiracy theorists unite! I consider myself to be a steward over my resources, which includes my body, my organs, and all other substances therein. It's more of a personal conviction I suppose. I understand the medical importance of blood donors and I salute you all. Really I do. You're fantastic.

See, almost three years ago, on September 11, a very sobering and sad event took place in our nation. Over those next couple days, it was clear the country was in the midst of a crisis. People were frantic, people were dying, people were questioning, people were spiritually open and perhaps the most disturbing moment of all was a comment I heard from an anchor broadcast on the national news in the wake of the tragedy, "At this point there is nothing we Americans can do except give blood". What!? That's it? give blood? That is the answer? What a sad declaration of the state of our nation. Soon after, I watched and read news as hundreds and thousands of Americans lined up outside Red Crosses' across the country, donating blood to appease their moral consciences. I myself even considered it, although I thought the act of giving blood in such a hap-hazard way may not reap the best results. In fact, much of the blood that was donated could not be used due to contamination among other things. That didn't bother me so much. What bothered me was the perceived mark of "virtuosity" on the foreheads of all who had donated. It was as if they had done their part. Their moral duty was fulfilled. Now they could rest easy. As if blood was the only thing people needed? Part of me couldn't help thinking, "this is not going to save the world, let alone their souls". Yet, reason one on the American Red Cross website for why you should be a blood donor is, "It's the right thing to do".

Understand, I'm neither condemning blood drives nor the people they serve. I do feel however, there has been a gross mis-appropriation of the entire concept. It seems we have relegated health solutions to donating blood, passing out condoms, HIV/AIDS testing, free birth control, "cure for cancer" marathons, and informational pamphlets. Meanwhile, our collective focus has shifted from the only one who can cure, heal, deliver, and set free to our socially programmed "busy-ness" and non-profit organizations -- many of which, are merely the work of man and serve as a means to appease our own consciences. I often wonder is this really how God intended us to serve the sick? Every time a blood drive rolls around, I feel this strange sense of "civic-duty arrogance" in the atmosphere. I only hope that we do not treat these things as a means to an end. No amount of blood donations can solve the real human issue at stake.