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God Doesn't Leave Things Half Done

God Doesn't Leave Things Half Done

by Dan Jones, M.D.

Philippians 1:6

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Paul was encouraging young Christians struggling through a difficult time.  What a reassuring thought that even when times are tough, we can be sure God is there with us and has not abandoned us.  The same Christ that had come into their lives through faith would surely see them through.  He does not leave things half done.

God had a purpose and a plan for these Christians in Philippi, just as he has a purpose and plan for you and your life.  The days of preparation for a health career are long, and often frustrating.  What makes it more frustrating is the lack of understanding how some of our learning/training will be useful for us.  In my days of medical school and residency, I often found myself asking about something I was expected to learn: "Is this important?"  It seemed there was always more to learn than my brain could absorb.  I was interested in knowing well the common medical conditions, but often didn't understand the need to learn about the rare and uncommon.

Early in my practice life, I was asked to see a teenager with hypertension.  In my first visit, I realized he did not have anything ordinary or common causing his problem.  I spent hours pouring over textbooks attempting to understand what I needed to do to make a diagnosis and treat this young man's severe problem.  I felt inadequate in my knowledge.  Yet, I persisted in my work until I understood the cause of his problem and recommended the surgery to remove a congenitally malformed kidney.  What joy to see the life of this very sick young man transformed.  And what joy for me to realize that I had been equipped in my medical education to continue to learn and grow as a physician.  My medical education and training had only been a beginning of lifetime learning.

In my spiritual life, I have had similar experiences, especially during my student years.  After weeks of long hours and hard work left me feeling distant from God and inadequate in my spiritual life, God would bring me back to Him in a spiritual encounter.  My spiritual roots were strong and God's love for me would not allow anything to separate us. 

Life continues to bring challenges to me, but it is reassuring to know that God is not through with me yet.  And He is not through with you.  He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. God is our ultimate friend.  He does not give up on us.

Lord, when you seem far and distant, reassure me that you will always be there for me and that you will not leave your work in me unfinished.  I thank you for that assurance.

 


Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.

Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu

Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.

Photo by Hans-Peter Gauster on Unsplash

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