Under the Influence

I am really enjoying my new jobs and nursing roles on the ship. I am feeling comfortable in my role as VVF Co-Coordinator and this past week I had my first set of consecutive shifts as Charge Nurse. I love the challenge, critical thinking, and diversity these new roles bring to my job and nursing on the ship. I continue to work shifts as a ward nurse as well and this past week I added some training in my schedule to help out as an Admission Nurse, too. With my new leadership roles in the VVF department and as charge nurse, I have been given more responsibility and I am finding myself in a position of power to help make decisions. I would ask for your prayers that I will stay humble and that I would be a servant-leader. Recently, I heard this question, “Do you want to be a person of influence, or a person with a title?” I have been pondering this question a lot lately. Am I living in such a way to be a person of influence, or do I live for a “title/position?” It has been good to ponder this question. My desire is that I will remain humble and strive to be a person of influence, not merely a person with a “title.” I watched a segment from a DVD called "Faith Lessons on the Death and Resurrection of the Messiah" the other night and it prompted me to reflect more on the subject of striving to be a person of influence versus a person seeking recognition or a title. The narrator of the film, Ray Vander Laan, a historian and pastor, was holding small shattered pieces of stone and marble from the ruins of the Biblical city of Caesarea. Ray Vander Laan went on to explain, Caesarea was one of the greatest cities of its time; it was comparable to Rome in the areas of technology, development, and society. The narrator of the movie pointed out that King Herod was largely responsible for the greatness of Caesarea, but now all that remains of that ancient city and Herod’s greatness, is rubble, rocks, stones, and ruins. Today, few people take time to consider who King Herod was and his past accomplishments. But on the other hand, most people familiar with the Bible know the story of a simple shepherd boy and what he did with a few rocks and stones. In the face of adversity, ridicule, and challenge, David picked up a handful of small stones, put them in a sling-shot, and killed a giant. Yes, David, later became a king, but it his shepherd boy story that still influences many today. When we are willing to live under the influence of Christ, great things happen! God will take what we offer Him and transform nations. (The previously mentioned insight does not come from my small brain; all credit goes to Ray Vander Laan and the movie "Faith Lessons on the Death and Resurrection of the Messiah"). (I would fail university now if I cited like this, but I am doing the best I can, I cannot remember how to write formal papers, but at least I cannot be accused of plagiarism!) I am more and more aware that in life, we have the choice to take what we are given; the gifts and talents we are blessed with and we can push, trample on others, and fight to make a name for ourselves. After our struggle, we may earn a title, but we will soon be forgotten. Or we can take our abilities; give them back to God, and watch his influence spread through us. Having a title and a prestigious position is okay, but my prayer is that my heart and life will show that I want to be a person of influence, not just a person with a title. I hope that I will be responsible with the tasks God gives me and I pray that I charge into each new day, under the influence of Christ.