"Conflicts of a Chaplain"

“Conflicts of a Chaplain”

 

During my chaplain residency I was required to write “reflection papers” to express my thoughts about what I was learning. Sometimes topics were assigned but for the most part the choice was up to me. A couple of months into the program I realized I was dealing with what appeared to be contradictory elements in my work. It’s been seven years since I put these ideas on paper but they still ring true as I interact with patients, families, and others. As I share them I’ve added appropriate Scriptures with the prayer that together we can apply them to our lives.

1.      “I’m human but to some I’m the face of God” (“…All of us…can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.”—2 Corinthians 3:18, NLT)

2.      “I’m by nature selfish but by God’s grace giving” (“…Consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”—Philippians 2:3-4)

3.      “I’m where I am but trying to touch people where they are” (“Jesus reached out his hand and touched the {leper}…’Be clean!’”—Matthew 8:3)

4.      “I’m trying to be all things to all people but praying I’ll be something to some” (“I have become all things to all {people} so that by all possible means I might save some.”—1 Corinthians 9:22)

5.      “I’m healthy but ministering to many who aren’t as fortunate” (“’It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.’”—Matthew 8:12; Luke 5:31)

6.      “I’m giving the impression of having it all together but I sometimes think I’m coming apart” (“If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing he deceives himself.”—Galatians 6:3)

7.      “I’m prone to put up walls but I’m trying to break them down” (“Accept one another…just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”—Romans 15:7)

8.      “I’m struggling with my own burdens but I’m called on to bear the burdens of others” (“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”—Galatians 6:2)

9.      “I’m not where I want to be but I’m thankful I’m not where I was” (“I am still not all I should be, but I’m focusing my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”—Philippians 3:13, NLT)

 

Maybe some who read this are having struggles as a teacher, business person, tradesman or woman, or even as a parent. God has promised His grace to meet every need (see Hebrews 4:16) and will use our troubles to help others in similar circumstances (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-7). Let’s see our conflicts as opportunities, not problems, as we grow together.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan