Lately, I’ve just been frustrated by how jobs may simply be what they are- jobs. Not callings or dreams or all-consuming passions. But mere jobs. Hours to clock, duties to fulfill, responsibilities to duck. No matter what job one is in, I believe many of us see our work as toil.
And it shows. Do you wake up in the morning feeling energized and full of a sense of purpose? Or do you wake up filled with dread?
I guess, it was just that I was challenging myself to see things from a different perspective.
When there’s an opportunity for a long break, do we take the opportunity to head to the farthest place possible for a nice long lunch, or thank God for (finally) the chance to sit down and talk to our patients, find out who they are, where they come from, their fears and anxieties. When it comes to seeing new patients, do we simply see them in as short a time possible, or try to stretch ourselves to find out why they are here to see us. When we practice medicine, do we do so in a way with the motivation to prevent complaints and lawsuits against ourselves, or out of a heart overflowing with love and genuine care.
When families break out in anger over the care of their loved ones, do we rage behind their backs and rue our thankless professions, or do we choose to see their point of views, or in the worst case, try to see them with compassion, and see them as wounded individuals trying, in fallen ways, to vent their feelings of guilt and sorrow and frustration, over their loved ones’ pending demise. Do we choose to become frustrated with dealing with a plethora of psychosocial issues instead of being able to focus on the science of medicine, or do we choose to see that as part of doctoring. Do we choose to see doctoring as merely treating symptoms with big-bang pharmaceutical knowledge, or choose to see the patient in his context- can he afford these medications? If we treat him, to what end and purpose? Would this really benefit him?
My question is, is your job merely labour or a calling?
I ask myself that every day. Am I being nice to avoid litigations or truly, seeing every chance for patient interaction as an opportunity to bless. Do I sigh at every request for a family conference or take joy in updating families and walking them through this difficult time of their lives. Do I let my patience wear short, or choose to extend His hand of grace?
One tries to balance being efficient with being compassionate, and being professional while not being undetached. Tis a fine line to tread, to remain enthusiastically passionate without burning out, too soon, too fast.
Every day I look at the doctors around me and wonder, what kind of physician do I want to be. One who simply treats physical symptoms without seeing each person as an individual in the context of his background, family, financial situation, or one who genuinely cares for each one.
There are so many kinds of doctors I could be.
Then I look at the Master Physician, who treats us, not merely physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and I remember how He pours out His love into our lives so we, too, can be poured out; and how He speared His own hands and feet for our sakes so we can be His hands and feet to the world.
Jesus answered them,
-Luke 5:31