doctor's life support

6th January: Gifts of Nature and of Grace

Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master. Matthew 25:21

There is a tendency to interpret this parable of the talents in terms of our natural abilities and earthly endowments, and certainly the Christian doctor should seek to use his God-given talents to the glory of his master. Doctors are high flyers, and the competition for places these days ensures that most have personal qualities of intellect and skill, even if at times we wonder if this is really true! However, we must not forget that although God has given us these talents for the relief of medical needs of others, there are other gifts that are not inherited by nature, nor acquired by training, which are needed if our work is to bear eternal fruit.

Churches often look up to doctors, who can easily find themselves in positions of leadership. But being a doctor does not automatically fit us for the leadership we are often asked to assume in spiritual circles. How often is our prayer, `Where, Lord, can I use by talents to their greatest advantage?'. Paul in the first four chapters of his first letter to the Corinthians reminds his hearers that his message to them was preached in weakness, and not with the persuasive oratory that was his natural gift (1 Cor 2:4) but `in demonstration of the Spirit and of power'. Although he was one of the greatest intellects of the day, he did not himself use a flashy demonstration of that intellect to convert the world -- he would not have succeeded. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Paul points out that natural gifts and goodness will never produce spiritual results.

What God wants is ourselves. He will then supply spiritual talents appropriate to the work to which he calls us. These spiritual gifts may well dovetail with our natural abilities. He will probably in his wisdom and providence use our medical training and talents, though not necessarily so. It is only after doing the work God has called us to, whether that involves our medical training or not, that we shall hear our Lord's `well done, good and faithful servant'.

Our heavenly Father, forgive us for the self-centredness
which seeks to fit your work round our natural gifts. Help
us to see that you require nothing less than our total
commitment to your will and to seek those spiritual
qualities you can use in the furtherance of your kingdom
in whatever secular sphere you place us.

Further reading: Mt 25:14-30. Ro 12:1-18.

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