Consequences

It is a simple fact of life that all actions have consequences - often unintended.  This is something that two young Radio Presenters in Australia have recently learned, and done so in a very hard way!

I find myself more than a little confused about the account of the prank telephone call that is claimed to have led to the suicide of a senior nurse who, by all accounts, was a true professional.  Like most people, I heard the edited recording - and had to agree that the accents were terrible.  No acting career for those two!  I can understand why the nurse was embarrassed at having been "taken in".  However, we are assured by the hospital authorities, she was not being disciplined, or even reprimanded.  Indeed, the spokesman informed us that the hospital was being very supportive of her.

This makes me wonder if there was anything else playing on Jacintha Saldanha's mind.  Would embarrassment, however real, be sufficient for her to leave behind a husband and two teenage children?  Was the spoof telephone call not the reason for her tragic death, at her own hand, but merely the straw that finally broke the proverbial camel's back?

Today, it has been reported that a suicide note was left for her family.  I would hope that it might be possible for the contents of that note to be revealed or, at least, the gist thereof.  For the sake of Michael Christian and Mel Greig, who are also victims (albeit of their own making), as well as the family, the truth must be allowed to come out.

Of course, other actions, and inactions, have their own consequences - sometimes even more tragic than the untimely death of a dedicated nurse.   As we approach the Christmas season, many seem to be unaware that the first syllable in that word is "Christ"!  He truly is the centre, the focus, and the reason for the season.  However, if we stop at Christmas, and the Babe in the manger, we do ourselves a great dis-service.  For that same Babe became the Christ of the cross, hanging there to pay the penalty for my sin, and for yours. 

Pilate asked the chief priests and the elders of the Jews, "... what shall I do with Jesus Who is called Christ?" They all said, "Let Him be crucified." (Matt 27:22).  What is your answer to that question?  The consequences of your answer are of eternal significance!