“Join with others in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do” (Philippians 3:17, NIV).

I heard one of my mentor’s phrases come from my mouth this morning on hospital rounds. A tense family was gathered around the bed of their mom who was hospitalized with a complication of her cancer therapy. The last two months had been grueling for them as they watched their mother’s mental capacity wax and wane with various combinations of immunosuppressive medications. The time had come to transition her care to “comfort measures only.” I had not met most of the family members in the room. After proper introductions, I quickly reviewed for them their mother’s medical journey and the failure of our best efforts to control her illness. All eyes were on the floor as I discussed the option of discharging her home with hospice. I emphasized how unpredictable her next days and weeks could be.

And then it happened. After a long pause, I asked the husband, “Sir, can you tell me what will happen to your wife after she dies?” I had to repeat the question to quizzical faces around the room. And then it was like a light switch flipped on in the room. At first, with hesitation, the husband offered, “Uh, well, you know, she’s going to go be with Jesus.” Then he stood tall and spoke more clearly, “She loves Jesus, and she’s going to go be with Jesus.”

The sudden change in the room was palpable as this family seemed surprised and thankful their doctor opened the door to their spiritual lives. I affirmed the husband’s confession, “Well, in that case, you and I both know she’s going to be all right. I mean, no matter what happens in these days ahead—no matter what—I believe with you that she is going to be more than all right: she’s going to be with Jesus!”

After a few hugs I left the room, energized by their faith and ready to continue rounds.

One reason I’m passionate about CMDA is my need to practice healthcare in the way Jesus would today. We must never settle for practicing half-person healthcare. Our patients are whole persons: physical, emotional and spiritual—created in the image of God—and some are destined to live forever in relationship with Him and with those who love Him.

Oswald Chambers said, “We have to recognize that we are one half mechanical and one half mysterious; to live in either domain and ignore the other is to be a fool or a fanatic. …the one great problem in spiritual life is whether we are going to put God’s grace into practice.”  

CMDA has educated, encouraged and equipped me to know this and to share this. And I most know it because I have seen it modeled by other Christian healthcare professionals. I don’t know I would have had the courage to enter that spiritual space with this patient’s family if I had not seen it modeled years ago by a wise mentor. For that I am grateful, and with that I must ask myself the question, “Who is watching me to see how a Christian does healthcare?”

—Jeff Harris, MD

Dear Father,

Help me model Christ as I learn from others who have done so and help those who watch me to see who You are.

Amen