Call of the Wild

Ministerial Meandering 

Call of the wild

One of my closest friends asked me recently why I feel the need to go off to crazy places to work.  I’m still trying to formulate an answer a week later.  How did this come about?

During my career as a surgeon I have been to some out-of-the-way places, and always enjoyed my time.  But, whilst there, I would rub up against other characters with a similar drive or need to get out of their comfort zone.  This is by no means restricted to men alone; I have encountered lots of women who are just as motivated.  Why do any of us do it?

I think - in my own case - I need to test myself.  I ask myself, “Do I have what it takes to do this work?”  In some ways I want to be frightened, I want to be pushed to my limits - to see what they are and where I meet them.

I wish I could claim pure altruism as my motive - but it wouldn’t be true.  It comes into the equation - for sure - but that is certainly not the whole story.  I think a lot of us who join the military are secretly longing for a combat deployment, where we can test our mettle.

I recently watched Clint Eastwood’s excellent film, ‘American Sniper’ - the true story of Chris Kyle, who served four tours of Iraq as a sniper, and notched up the highest score of enemy kills in American history.  He eventually left the Navy Seals to try to make a ‘normal life’ with his wife and children, which he found enormously difficult.  Continuing to miss his service life, he took up helping other returned and traumatized vets - only to be killed by one he was trying to help.

The way the movie tells it, he never really left that need for the adrenaline - and his wife never really understood it.

On the civilian side of things I have also read David Nott’s autobiography called, ‘War Surgeon’, detailing his service with many humanitarian organizations and serving in many different war-torn countries.  He also admits in his book to the need for the adrenaline motivation.  We all have our addictions.

I am sure that Mother Theresa and others may have been motivated entirely by the love of God and their fellow man and woman, but those of us who don’t reach such admirable heights may have to be content with our more basic drives.

If people in need benefit - does it really matter why we go?

Philip+