Who Are Your Friends In The Faith?
by Dan Jones, M.D.
Philippians 1:1-3
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God every time I remember you.
With these words, Paul was beginning a very personal letter to old friends. We have a number of Paul's letters in the New Testament Scriptures. However, this one to the believers in Philippi gives keen insight into Paul's relationship with special friends of the past. More than any other church, the believers at Philippi demonstrated their affection for Paul, even after he was absent for many years.
In my life as a health professional, I have had less time than I would like for developing and cultivating friendships. The friendships I do have tend to be deep, close, and very meaningful. My closest friendships are with those who share my faith and a sense of purpose in the health professions. Among my closest relationships are doctors, nurses, pharmacists - all with a sense of call from God to do what they do.
My life is so busy, that I often go weeks, months, sometimes years without seeing some of these friends face to face. However, each of these relationships is special and has endured years of neglect on my part. I remember one occasion of seeing one of these friends after a long absence. I was struggling with a major career decision. Though I had not seen this friend for more than a year, God had prepared him to have exactly the words of confirmation on the decision I needed.
Like all relationships, our friendships are only ours after we have given them to the Lord and allowed Him to give them back. We need to be ever mindful of God's desire for us to have close friends in the faith. As we struggle with life's daily grind in learning or practicing the health professions, let's lean on those special friends God puts in our way. I am grateful for mine and thank God every time I remember them.
Lord, thank you for friends in the faith. Help me to be a friend to others and to accept the gift of friendship as part of Your Plan for helping me through the struggles of a challenging life.
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 Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
