NOTE: This message was emailed on Friday, Dec. 24, 2021, from Alan Levine, Ballad Health chairman and chief executive officer, to all Ballad Health team members.
Dear Colleague:
One year ago, as 2020 came to an end, we all began to feel the hope that came with the announcement of a new vaccine – something we had prayed would end the pandemic, and allow us to return to a sense of “normal.” We wanted to see our families and neighbors healthy. We wanted to see our kids in school, flourishing. We wanted to see people who had worked hard once again receive the blessing of economic success and reward. And, as people committed to serving others, we wanted to get back to the business of caring for all the people we knew needed us.
Speaking only for myself, I’ve learned that my plans, however well-meaning, are often very different than the plan God has. And often, in my life, I end up disappointing myself, and others, because I thought my plan was pretty good. Except sometimes, my plan just doesn’t matter when God’s plan is so much better informed than mine! It is humbling when you hope for so much, and when your hopes seem reasonable, but your timeline just doesn’t match what God has decided.
We all had plans for this year, but instead of what many of us had hoped for, we faced ongoing risk from the spread of the virus, including the emergence of Delta. And rather than the vaccine bringing an end to the pandemic, we saw ourselves divided with friends and even family over the multitude of issues that arose from the implications of the vaccine and the drudging, ongoing pandemic. We split between those who would take the vaccine, and those who wouldn’t. We saw anger, frustration, and sadly, divisions that cast a shadow over important relationships and trust in our important institutions. We saw, and continue to see, unnecessary death and suffering. And we have seen many of our colleagues say they have had enough, and leave.
I think it is safe to say that many of us are tired, even frustrated. We wonder what’s it all for? Can we continue on this path? Well, I don’t know the answers to those questions, but I do believe God has made account for these frustrations and exhaustion. Isaiah 40:30-31 says, “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
My thought for the Christmas celebration is this: It has been a difficult year for many, but in the challenges we face, it is often too easy to take for granted the incredible blessings we have all received. And it is in the time of most difficulty when many turn to God – whatever God you may believe in. When things are going smoothly or easily, it is most easy to forget about God, and to presume “we got this.” But…if we have learned anything from the trials we have faced this year – whether the destruction from the virus or the harmed relationships from the mistrust stemming from the arguments over the vaccines, it is probably important to remember that, no matter what we each think of each other during these difficult times, that in fact, we do all stumble, we do all fall. And the true hope is not what I said above in the first paragraph. When we do grow tired and weary, those who rely not merely on themselves, but let our faith in God lift us up – that is when we find the strength to continue onward.
I think our true hope, rather than for the things WE think are important, is really that each of us, as we have fallen, can look up to see the loving hand of our creator, who loves us more than we can possibly imagine, and realize that he is there with us.
This Christmas, or for those who celebrate other joyous relationships with the god you have a relationship with, I truly pray that those of us who seek to know God feel the warmth, the joy, the peace and the comfort of knowing we really don’t have to rely exclusively on our own plan. … if we hope in the Lord, our strength will be renewed, and we will be able to serve others with the joy that should come with helping others.
I wish you and your family peace, joy, a huge dose of good health, and most importantly, that if you feel you have fallen, you can allow yourself to hope in the Lord. That is an incredible gift if you choose to accept it.
Merry Christmas and God Bless each of you, your families, and those whom you care about.
Alan
Alan Levine
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Ballad Health
