During my stay at UCSF, the nurses would perform neurological assessments on me regularly. When I was in the neuro ICU, the assessments were done every hour. It got relaxed to once every 4 hours when my condition was more stable. Each time, I had to answer a bunch of questions about my name, the date, my location and the reason for my hospitalization. There was one other test that had me stretch out both of my arms with palms up and eyes closed for 10 seconds. It is called the test for pronator drift. If one arm drifts downward, then it is a bad neurological sign.

After I came home from the hospital, I realized this assessment test resembles a spiritual posture towards God.

With my arms stretched, my palms up and eyes closed, I am preparing myself to welcome the presence of God. There is nothing I need to do. I am just waiting for God to show up. I did not take any photo in the hospital but I was doing this posture many times a day on the hospital bed. To the nurses or neurosurgeons, this test only carries medical or neurological significance. But to me as a Christ follower, it has far deeper spiritual connotations. When I was lying on the hospital bed in the ICU, I was helpless and vulnerable. At this same moment, Jesus was standing right in front of me as I welcomed Him with open arms. He was there for me as I walked through the darkest valley.