Another week has come and gone in the blink of an eye. Per the usual, the Sunday question arose “how was your week?” One word, heavy. Medical school prepares you with knowledge. But knowledge comes in many forms and textbooks don’t teach you real life experiences. You can read, research, discuss, prepare, and test for that which you are training to become. But, as the saying goes the rubber meets the road when you actually begin. And I am sure many can attest that what you prepare for in school can look much different in practice. In any career there is more to life than knowing all the answers. If you are so focused on the career, the task, or solving the problem that you miss the person before you I would dare say you’ve failed right there.
So where am I going with all of this? Let me take you back to a memory that will be etched in my mind forever. It is still fresh though days have passed and I pray it never leaves. Have you ever seen someone tremble, truly tremble? I don’t have the words to portray the feelings it evoked. Here I thought I was going in to work on my patient’s balance, walking, and strength problems; but instead I found her trembling in bed. As our eyes met she just said, “Hannah, I am so scared, I am so afraid.” In that moment I didn't see my patient, but rather one with a heavy heart. One who has seen the world, known many experiences, and lived life well according to the world's standards. Yet, here she lay at 90+ years old with tears in her eyes, lips quivering, hands shaking, and body trembling. My heart sank and a deep ache still fills my soul now. How would you respond? Textbooks don’t train you for that, but I thank God that He does. How I felt for her in that moment. It is if I knew just what she meant. I knelt down, held her hand, and listened. More than anything in that moment and even now I want her to know God. In my heart I know He is the only one that can comfort her weary soul and calm all her fears (Matt. 11:28-30).
Oh, to truly know God. How I wish everyone knew Him. How I wish believers understood the greatness of the gift given to them. Union with God, sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, slaves of the Most High King. How I wish I knew Him deeper but what great joy it brings me to know I can and will. I will never stop learning about Him as He reveals himself to me in this life and for eternity. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God…” (Rom. 11:33). Pray with me that my dear patients come to know Christ. Pray with me that as believers in Christ we strive to know Him daily. Knowing God is liberating.
When I begin to understand God’s attributes and what they mean I can always answer the question “how are you?” I am rich in the Lord! Yes, my week was heavy and my heart aches for the world but regardless of all that happens I will always be rich in the Lord and I have that to share and share I will.
This past week I entered my patient’s home to do physical therapy, because that is what my career has trained me to do. But God, He had so much more for me for that session. Yes, I still addressed those balance issues and will continue to do so in time, but the heart of man is so much more valuable. Don’t get so caught up in your career that you don’t tend to the relationships of the people that God brings you. Whether you are a mom caring for your children, a CPA preparing financial statements, a government official walking to your next meeting, a coach training your athletes, or insert your calling here. Set down the pen, paperwork, laundry detergent, phone and look up, listen, and care well for the soul before you. That is what truly matters.
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Don’t let the task, assignment, or to do list of today distract you from loving others well. May we strive to love like Christ (1 John 3:16-18).
If you desire to know God more the best place to start is the Bible. Open it, read it, and let if feed your soul. A complementary book recommendation is The Attributes of God by Arthur W. Pink. I am currently reading it and realizing that the more I understand about God the faster the fear of the world fades away. That which might make one tremble in this life is no match for our great God. There is nothing to fear but God himself and for the believer He is our greatest and only safety (Ps. 27:1-3, Ps. 23).
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