I’m the nurse in charge of the floor, when another nurse calls me to come. And when I get there, the patient is bleeding. A lot. We keep weighing the saturated chux as we urgently call for more help. But the bleeding won’t stop no matter what we do.
We start a second IV, give medications, put on oxygen, and order blood. More nurses scramble in. The doctor arrives from half-way across town and begins his assessment as we synchronize our team. Everyone has their job and we all work fast, because time is of the essence.
She needs us. And thankfully, we’re trained.
Hours of instruction, scenarios, and what-ifs have prepared us with the knowledge to know what to do–knowledge that gives us the power to make a difference.
Not only that, but as health care providers we’re obligated–obligated by conscience and law, to assess her situation, determine her needs, advocate for her best interest, and give her the treatment necessary to save her life. Now.
And why wouldn’t we act?
Why wouldn’t we use all that’s within our power to save her?
As I’ve been memorizing Romans Chapter 1, I ponder the words of Paul as he describes His obligation to all people.
I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and to the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. Romans 1:14-15
At the time of Paul’s writing, Rome is a city of over a million people. But only several hundred Christians meet in home churches throughout the city. The Jews have been expelled from the city and the Gentile Christians remain there. And although their numbers are small, their faith has been effective with the news of their faith spreading across the entire known world–the vast Roman empire.
The Greek culture of the time is full of wisdom and philosophy, reasoning and sophistication. And anyone who’s a part of this sect of elite society is called a Greek.
But all other people groups who are not part of the elite society, are called non-Greeks, or barbarians … people considered to be foolish instead of wise.
And Paul adamantly declares he is obligated to both–to Greeks and non-Greeks, to the wise and the foolish. Obligated to all people no matter their race or sophistication.
And although we are not apostles like Paul,
As Christians we are obligated to love–to love God with all our hearts, and to love our neighbor as ourself. [Tweet that]
As Christians we are obligated…
To commune with God in a daily way,
To pray for opportunities to share,
To recognize the divine appointments God gives,
And to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us.
As followers of Christ, we’re on stand-by to give others the life-saving information they need. We have the knowledge of the gospel–the very thing that can save their lives.
And why wouldn’t the hope of all we experience with Christ, compel us to share with anyone who doesn’t know?
I’m thankful to say, we saved her life that day in labor and delivery. Even though she lost two-thirds of her body’s blood supply, had a hysterectomy, and spent three days in the intensive care unit, our treatment, with the blessing of a good and gracious God, saved her.
And when you’re obligated to someone, isn’t that what you do?
Give all you know to help them be saved?
May it be so, is my prayer.
How do you live out loving God with all your heart?
What does it mean to you to love your neighbor as yourself?
**Photo Credit: Lighthouse50, Flickr Creative Commons
The word “obligated” that Paul used haunts me. We have no choice, but must obey, not in a robotic, inhuman way, but because we are so compelled and intertwined with Him that there is no option.
What a beautiful, thought-provoking post!
Yes…compelled because we’re intertwined with Him. Thank you so much for your encouraging words!
Thank you for this beautiful parallel. As a stay at home mom, I find myself sometimes lacking in opportunities to rub shoulders with the world so as to be able to share Christ. This summer I’ve made a concerted effort to frequent parks in rough neighbourhoods just in hopes of meeting another mom there and being able to talk with her. It doesn’t always happen, but at least I feel like I’m opening myself up to be used if God should choose to give the opportunity. We really do have to train our hearts to be looking for chances to share Christ…and to be flexible when He does bring them along, often at our human inconvenience. 🙂
Beautiful! I love nurses! My son is an RN and I have the utmost respect for those who sacrifice and go the extra mile every single day. ♥
Nannette
hopeinthehealing.com
Jacqui, I can just imagine what a wonderful caring nurse you are! Thank you for this story of salvation and help.
Yes, compelled really captures it, doesn’t it? When we know and understand grace and the glory of God, how can we not be compelled? Love your thoughts on this, you guys. And it’s so wonderful that God has blessed you with a vocation that both saves lives and gives comfort through the working of your kind hands in these mother’s lives.
“As Christians we are obligated to love–to love God with all our hearts, and to love our neighbor as ourself.” I am not a Tweeter, but if I was I would be tweeting this! Thank you for showing God’s love to your patients. I have worked in the front office of a couple family practice clinics and or done dictation for them most of my working career and have some great nurse friends to this day. You truly are His hands to so many…
What a sweetly written reminder to share that life-changing, yoke-breaking, wonderful miracle-working gospel. “And why wouldn’t we act? Why wouldn’t we use all that’s within our power to save her?” Yes. I need to share what I got! Thank you for this Jacque.
Thank you Alia…I do indeed feel blessed to have the privilege to serve them…so very much! xo
Leah, I love that you’re opening yourself up to be used by God…and may you sense the prompting and with flexibility obey. He has great plans in store, that I know!
Nannette! Thank you so very much…and best wishes to your son too!
You bless me, sweet Mary! Much love to you!!
You are so kind…thank you Mindy. What an honor to get to be His hands…truly. Blessings to you!! And if you ever join Twitter, you must look me up!! 🙂
May we all share my friend…one and all! Thank you for your kind encouragement!
Powerful story, Jacque. Both in its telling, and in its application to our spiritual lives.
(P.S. – I imagine that you’re a light in whatever hospital room you walk into.)
Jennifer…what a treat to have you visit me here. Thank you for your encouraging words…it means so much to me. And I pray each time I go into a room He shines, that they may know how much they are loved.