Thoughts From Philippians 1 - Part 5

  I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel  Phil. 1:25-27

                 Well, it happened again this week. While I'm semiretired working 400 miles from home 9 consecutive nights a month, I've gotten two desperate texts from my wife - one was a picture of a dead mouse caught in a trap that she would now need to dispose of and today the grandkids are visiting and the pool heater isn't working! Last time, she had a flashing engine light which required immediate attention and I had to call a mechanic and rental car company within an hour of closing and arrange that. Fortunately, I was home last month when her battery went dead and a pipe that froze during the winter burst soaking the floor, but the month before when I wasn't there, she got a flat tire. I know - first world problems, right?

            It makes me reassess why at 70 and financially secure I'm still working. When I ponder that, the only good answer is that this is my mission field. God has sent me to show Christ and share the gospel to 35 residents and 10 attendings and rotating medical students and 30 labor and delivery nurses and aides at the University teaching hospital. I've got to be about that mission otherwise the stress my wife endures (believe me, she'd be stressed even if I was home but less) and the disruption of normal life is not worth it.

       Paul, who has had a very difficult life since salvation, knew why he was doing what he was doing. First, it was so that those who were believers would make progress in their faith. I think of Lane and Reed, two residents who have fallen in love and now Lane is leading Bible studies at the local Christian Medical Society chapter, and they go to church together whenever they are off. I think of Anna Joy an attending who is taking her family to Indonesia to be a missionary doctor who I will be financially supporting. I think of Grace Anne whose husband is a youth pastor at a local church. I'm seeing them all progressing in their faith and maybe my presence has played a small part. Secondly, like Paul, maybe I'm encouraging them to be joyful in a difficult four years that would want to steal their joy. Thirdly, like Paul, maybe they are being more vocal about their faith because of me. Fourthly, like Paul, maybe their lifestyle is becoming more exemplary of Christ because of my example. And lastly, like Paul, maybe they are bonding as believers together in the program finding strength and encouragement because of my boldness. To take credit for any of this may be reaching, but I can only hope that my presence has been a fan on the flame.

        But this is just the few believers I have found - most are unbelievers. Don't get me wrong, they are awesome people, some of whom I connect with better than believers. I enjoy them all. But my goal isn't to get them to like me and make them better doctors and then 50 years from now enter an eternity separated from God or live the next 50 years in an empty, hopeless, self-centered existence not experiencing the abundant life they can have on Earth found in surrender to Christ. The reason I am here is to introduce them to Christ. This is why I drive 6 hours each way, stay in a motel, am bored to tears some days and subject my wife to taking care of "disasters" on her own. I must say, my first 7 days here this month haven't been too fruitful, but I have 2 days left. I pray that Christ will be glorified in me today and tomorrow!