Cultivating Hearts of Service

This weekend I had the privilege of traveling to Colorado Springs to attend the Women in Medicine and Dentistry annual conference. It was my first time surrounded by other women physicians for whom medicine is a calling to serve Christ through healthcare. What a joy it was to meet them, share meals with them, worship and pray with them! I especially loved getting to know some of the medical students who are just beginning this exciting (and demanding ... and life-changing!) journey.

Surrounded by mountains and rock formations that included the Garden of the Gods, it was easy to step off the treadmill that is modern healthcare to take in the fresh air, sunshine, and beauty that help revive the soul. The conference was in Glen Eyrie Castle (did you know there are castles in the U.S.?). It was breathtaking, and the bear sighting (cub included!) just hours before our bonfire added a touch of adventure.

While at the conference, I had the privilege of addressing my colleagues to speak about ways to cultivate hearts of service in a busy practice. I spoke mostly about our need to abide in Christ while caring for people, lest we try to give what we don't have ... striving to meet overwhelming needs while running on empty. We studied John 15, recognizing Jesus' insistence that we remain in Him. "Remain in me," says Jesus. "Apart from me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

I also spoke of my role model, Mother Teresa, whose compassion and selfless love for people continue to inspire and beckon me to become more like Jesus. I reminded my new physician friends (and myself!) that our walk with God in healthcare is a journey. Although we all have days when we wish we'd done better, we can trust God's promise to bring to completion the work He began in each of us. As we continue to surrender our lives to Him, He will surely give us His Spirit, empowering us to fulfill our calling.

When ministry gets tough, we must call on God and remember the words spoken by the apostle Paul in Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

This week, our country is blessed to host Pope Francis, a man who is showing the world Christ-like humility as well as a servant heart. I am thankful to God that there are people we can learn from as we continue to let Him mold us into the likeness of His Son. What a privilege it is to serve Him! May we all continue to keep Him at the center of our lives!

Seek Him!
Dr. Mari

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3-4

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:4