Essentials: Courage in the Chaos

Akua Prempeh reports on the 2024 Student Conference

Akua Prempeh is a medical student at HYMS

What might it look like for you to live courageously amid the pressures of life, aware of the plan of the enemy to take you out, and yet unwilling to allow his plan to succeed?

Earlier this year, I attended the 2024 CMF Student Conference: Courage in the Chaos. I had never been to a CMF conference before and really didn’t know what to expect at all. I was very nervous when I walked in and realised just how many people were there, but quickly realised how welcoming an environment it was and how little I had to be worried about. Eventually, it was moving to see so many medical students who love and want to live for Jesus, while constantly being in secular spaces, that many would say our faith is at odds with. It is encouraging to see the potential reach of the light of Jesus, specifically within medicine and across medical schools.

The conference was shaped around the main sessions, led by the inspiring Dr Amy Orr-Ewing — author, speaker, theologian — and the focus was the book of Daniel. We consider what tactics the enemy may use to ‘take us out’ as believers, as well as the importance of being aware of and equipped for the battle. We thought about what it may look like for us to flourish for the Kingdom of Heaven, whilst living in a world that is under the rule and influence of the enemy. In the book of Daniel, this is mirrored by the materialist Babylonian Empire, under which Daniel was to serve hundreds of years before Jesus was born, despite his unwavering loyalty to the God of the Israelites. I learned so much that has been, and I know will continue to be invaluable going forward, not only as a medic, but as a disciple of Christ.

One point that stood out to me was understanding how Daniel communicated with the Babylonians: he didn’t just start reading scripture at them, but instead he reasoned and engaged with them in a manner that would resonate with their materialist and evidence-based culture. In doing so, he was able to maintain his integrity. This was helpful in knowing how to navigate speaking to different people about and explaining matters regarding our faith. It is not always best to pull out a Bible, and it may not always be best to do a deep dive into supporting evidence for Christianity. The key, as shown by Daniel, is understanding and discerning who you’re speaking to and what the best approach may be with that individual or group, whether that is other medics, family, friends, or strangers. I have been able to implement this in my own life since, in conversations with people who, for example, value evidence more highly, and in turn, engaging with them in a more relatable and appropriate way, while still communicating and maintaining the essence of the truth of the Gospel.

Another point that stood out to me was Daniel’s response being prayer, when faced with a crisis of unreasonable expectations. Instead of panicking, Daniel resolved to turn to the one he recognised as sovereign over every situation, understanding that a move of God will only be born out of prayer. This can serve as a challenge to each of us and has challenged me personally. When the things of life pop up (though not as drastic as the threat of death), is my response to look more at myself or to look more at Jesus? Do I ‘try harder’ or surrender more? Do I recognise I don’t have all the answers and seek the one who does, or do I rely on my own ‘wisdom’ to get me through? I have constantly been asking myself these questions since, and have seen, for example, moments of imposter syndrome fade when I realise ‘I am not in control here’. The truth is I don’t have it all together, and I may not actually feel I ‘deserve’ or have ‘earned’ the blessings that come my way or my place at medical school, but that’s okay. That’s grace, and rest is found for you and me in accepting that truth.

Outside of the main sessions, there were a wide range of seminars discussing topics from ‘Mental health within a Biblical worldview’, to ‘Hope in a failing NHS’, to ‘Sharing your faith with Muslim friends’. I attended the seminars titled: ‘Transgender’, ‘Speaking for Christ in the culture wars’, ‘Theology of the body’, and ‘Do you dare to live and speak for Jesus?’. I found the transgender seminar especially helpful as it is not a topic often spoken about in great depth among Christians — let alone Christian doctors. We looked at some distinctions between terminology that is often misused, as well as some statistics regarding people who identify as transgender. We also explored how you might engage in conversation with someone who identifies as transgender in a loving, understanding, and tactful way. This has helped me to be more confident going into conversations surrounding the topic, due to a deeper understanding.

There were plenty of opportunities to socialise and meet lots of new people from across the country and at various stages of medical school, including a big quiz on the first night. A love for medicine and for Jesus will be huge parts of each of our lives, and having that in common with people right off the bat was lovely. My highlights were definitely the Ceilidh (which I had never done before) and the late-night worship — I’m sure we were there until 4 am!

For anyone thinking about whether or not to come to the next CMF student conference, my advice would simply be: you’ve got to come! We all have busy schedules and know that it feels there is always more work you could be doing. But the Lord calls us into rest, communion, and community. We are not designed to work constantly without accepting that invitation. Trust me, Anki and Passmed will still be there when you get back. Why not jump back in, having been filled, equipped, and encouraged by the presence and people of Jesus (with wisdom of course!).

And if that doesn’t convince you — the incredible breakfast buffet should do it — what more could you want?!