The First Key Step To Being A Successful Heath Professional
by Dan Jones, M.D.
II Timothy 1:6-7
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
To assist us in fanning the flames of God’s gifts in our lives, He not only gives us a spirit of power, he also gives us a spirit of love. Paul recognized the importance of this and made sure Timothy knew about this necessary tool for successful fanning of his flame.
As young health professionals fanning God’s gifts into a professional career, nothing is more important than understanding the importance of fanning with a spirit of love. In my 35 years in the profession of medicine as a student, resident, and physician, I have been around many talented and gifted health professionals. I have taught them and been their colleagues. When I think of the health professionals who were the very best physicians, nurses, dentists, physical therapists, etc, there is only one trait they all had in common. Many of them were very bright, but all of the best were not the brightest. Almost all of them were very responsible as professionals, but not all. Many of them worked very long hours and at inconvenient times.
But one common quality of the very best health professionals I know is love for their patients. A spirit of love can overcome many other short-comings in our professional lives. But in the absence of love, nothing can fill the void. Many of the brightest health professionals are not among the best because they lack the spirit of love.
I am grateful for many examples of wonderful health professionals in my life experience who have taught me that loving my patients is the first key step to being a successful health professional.
Lord, as I fan my flame, please give me a double dose of the spirit of love.
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.
