Living in God’s house.
Do you work in outpatient care where you visit your patient in their home? Have you been in some very lovely homes? As you look around at the expensive lavish furnishings are you enamored by the opulent choices of the family and wonder if such luxury would ever be in your future?
Well, Nurse Friend, I can tell you, luxury just might be in your eternal future! The very last verse of Psalm 23 describes the future of the Believer will include living in God’s house, forever! Now, just ponder that fact for a nanosecond. We are talking about the eternal King of Glory! The Great I Am! The Rose of Sharon! The Alpha and Omega!
Take just a minute and research what God’s house looks like! We can find some of the descriptions of God’s house in His Word. Several references in the Book of the Revelation describe Heaven. Including Revelation 4 where the description includes: “… the one who sat on the throne had the appearance of jasper and ruby.” A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads … also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.”
Nurse Friend, God is good! The luxuries of His house exceed any on the earth! And, his children will enjoy this paradise for all of eternity! I hope to see you, there!
-PEGGI HUDSPITH
AUTHOR OF IT’S BREAK TIME FOR NURSES
Only One Thing To Be Concerned About
A new admit urgently arriving, a patient having just returned from testing, or a discharging patient threatening to leave AMA are included in the likely events of a busy Observation unit. With so much work to be done and a limited amount of time to accomplish all the work, and with the serious condition of your patients, you might be easily overwhelmed, almost paralyzed and deemed ineffective.
Have you ever heard of the story of Martha and Mary? While Martha was busy in the kitchen, she wondered what was up with Mary that she wasn’t in the kitchen helping. The Lord was in the house and Mary had the audacity to be sitting DOWN!!?? What could she have been thinking? With so many details needing to be accomplished to provide the very best for our Lord, how could Mary just sit there, at the Lord’s feet?
In this story found in Luke 10, Martha goes to Jesus and complains of Mary’s lack of urgency in all the details and tasks required in preparation of the meal. Jesus rebukes Martha and explains that while she has been frantically busy with meal preparations, Mary chose to be at his feet – listening to words of wisdom. More than physical food for the body, Mary craved spiritual food – eternal food – for the soul! She craved the eternal everlasting bread Jesus offers anyone who will sit at His feet.
What is a busy nurse’s takeaway from this story? In the moments when you are so overwhelmed with all that needs to be done, maybe this is exactly the time to stop and consider Jesus’ words, “there is only one thing worth being concerned about…” At this moment, maybe you can pull a small devotional book (THIS ONE!) out of your locker, isolate yourself, and contemplate the words of wisdom your Heavenly Father would speak to you in the midst of patient care. If you can spare a few minutes, take a deep breath, set your mind on Him, and allow God’s Spirit within you to set the priority of your tasks.
In the midst of nursing care, think about God’s love for your patients. Allow the presence of God to fill you, to draw you to Himself, and renew your mind. Without the panic of much to be done, or being overwhelmed and unable to make priorities, allow God to ease your mind and prioritize your nursing tasks. God promises to draw near to us when we draw near to Him.
Today’s Prompts
In the midst of your busy working day, how can you remind yourself to yield to the prompting of the Holy Spirit?
For a month’s time, try keeping a devotional/journal, like this one, in your locker. During those moments of sheer panic, try isolating yourself, asking God to help recenter your focus on the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Today’s Scripture
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Today’s Declaration
“According to Matthew 11:28-29, when I am overwhelmed, I will pursue the Father who will give me rest. Taking His yoke upon myself, God will teach me, out of His gentle and humble heart, and my heart will find rest.”
— Peggi