editorial: grounded in reality

In Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster says, ‘We must not be led to believe that the Disciplines are only for spiritual giants and hence beyond our reach…Far from it. God intends the Disciplines of the spiritual life to be for ordinary…people who have jobs…’

Ordinary people like me? Are you sure? I wonder if you’ve ever done a run of days into a string of night shifts? Twelve hours (plus plus!) on your feet and then eat, sleep, repeat. It’s hard to imagine how I could fit anything more into my days. Let alone celebrate these Christian disciplines.

One of my greatest joys in my job as CMF’s Head of Nurses and Midwives is meeting Christian nurses and midwives from across the country. We talk about all the things you’d expect from healthcare professionals off work. How are the shifts going? What’s the staffing like? But it always segways into, what’s God saying to you? Where can you see him at work? It’s then that you’ve shared stories of prayers said in chapels before work and carrying Scriptures around in your scrubs pocket and hearts to recite in the day. Of days off spent resting in God, eating meals with friends, and taking time to walk and pray on your own. In my opinion, it’s you who are the spiritual giants. You may hardly be aware of your stature, but there you go, stomping around your hospitals and communities, leaving footprints of God’s kingdom wherever you step.

In this edition of Spotlight, we have tried to collate some of your stories. These examples are all grounded in the reality of busy professional working days. I hope that, as well as recognising some habits that you already practise, you might also be inspired to try something new.

Bex Lawton is a paediatric nurse and CMF’s Head of Nurses & Midwives.